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Water Charges Exemptions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 November 2014

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Ceisteanna (536, 542)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

536. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will exempt from water charges householders who installed water harvesting conservation systems at a substantial capital investment cost (details supplied); if he will review these customers whose water usage due to their initiative, for which no grant has been received and on which they have outlayed large sums of money, is under the 51,000 litre domestic allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43246/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

542. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will address the issue whereby a couple, both old age pensioners and residing in a nursing home, are expected to pay a tariff to Irish Water for a service they are not benefiting from; if he will rectify this issue as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43281/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 542 together.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 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. Section 21 of the 2013 Act requires Irish Water to charge each customer for the provision by it of water services.

The CER has now issued a determination on the water charges plan submitted to it by Irish Water. Full details and associated documentation are available on the CER website at www.cer.ie/document-detail/CER-Water-Charges-Plan-Consultation/979.

I am fully supportive of all technologies which contribute to the conservation of water. Rainwater harvesting has the potential to contribute to reducing the cost of water services for certain uses as well as benefiting the environment. There are no exemptions from water charges for householders using such systems. However, in line with the CER decision on the water charges plan, where a customer's metered water consumption is shown to be less than the assessed consumption used in the assessed charge, a rebate will be given to the customer after a period of six months.

In line with the approved water charges plan, where a domestic property is not permanently occupied, the owner of the premises will be required to pay a minimum charge for water supply and for wastewater per service. There are no exemptions from these charges for householders.

Question No. 537 answered with Question No. 526.
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