Written Answers Nos. 147-151
147. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the provisions Irish Water has for farm holdings already on a meter connected to both commercial and domestic usage and which are now subjected to metered charges for the commercial side and an additional assessed charge on the private residence. [39436/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers. Any farm connected to a public water supply is liable for charges as a non-domestic customer. If the farm is also used for domestic purposes, it is termed a mixed use customer. Mixed use customers will be billed separately for their domestic and non-domestic water services and will have a separate account number for each. The domestic component of their consumption will be charged at the domestic unmetered charge, based on the number of people living in the home, regardless of whether there is a meter or not. The household and children’s water allowances will be applied subject to the householder completing the application process.
The non-domestic component of their consumption will continue to be charged according to the current non-domestic tariff arrangement. In the case of a metered customer, the volume to be charged at the non-domestic rate will continue to be the metered volume in excess of the current local authority domestic allowance. Current local authority standing charges and unit rates still apply to non-domestic consumption. The CER will be reviewing all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs under a series of public consultations and will publish the time-line for this process before the end of 2014.
149. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a decision will be made on whether Leader funds which have been allocated to projects in County Clare which will not proceed will be reallocated by the Clare local development company to other projects which met the criteria for funding but missed out due to lack of funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39448/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding under the LEADER element of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme is now fully committed. There are commitments well in excess of what is required to ensure full draw down of the EU contribution; therefore, any project funding which is de-committed at this stage will not be re-committed. I expect, however, that the LEADER element of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme will commence during 2015 and there will be potential under that Programme to fund projects where they are identified as a priority in the Local Development Strategy for the area.
151. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Irish Water (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39456/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Water was established under Statute with a legal prohibition on privatisation. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group, to be formed and registered under the Companies Acts. Section 5 of the Act provides that the shareholders of Irish Water are Ervia (formerly Bord Gáis Éireann), the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Finance. Subsection 5(6) of the Act, as amended by Section 46 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, prohibits the shareholders from disposing of their shareholding in Irish Water, which in effect places a statutory prohibition on the privatisation of Irish Water.
The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water is responsible for public water services. Section 21 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires Irish Water to charge each customer for water services, in accordance with a water charges plan, which is subject to the approval of the Commission for Energy Regulation. The water charges plan for the period from 1 October 2014 to end 2016 has now been approved by the Commission. The Act defines the customer as the occupier of the premises in respect of which the water services are provided. In accordance with section 72 of the Water Services Act 2007, Irish Water may require any consumer of water services provided by it to take their supply through a water supply meter.
