I propose to take Questions Nos. 552, 555, 560 and 586 together.
With 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.
As set out in the Water Services Act 2014, which was enacted on 28 December 2014, water charges for domestic customers commenced on 1 January 2015 , with the first bills due to issue from April 2015. The Act also provides for the payment of an annual water conservation grant.
To promote sustainable use of water and to enhance water conservation in households, the Department of Social Protection will administer, on behalf of my Department, a €100 water conservation grant for households (principal private dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process. It is proposed that the grant will be paid in one instalment to all eligible households in September 2015 and on an annual basis thereafter. I will shortly bring forward regulations and a communications campaign that will set out the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria applying to the scheme, including the date by which a response to Irish Water’s customer registration process will be required in order to be eligible for the grant.
While Irish Water, as part of the transition phase, will have a ‘first fix free’ scheme to fix customer leaks, it is recognised that some leakage may be internal to the house. The €100 annual water conservation grant can be used in this regard to address issues such as leaking cisterns, dripping taps etc. Equally, households can use the grant towards other conservation measures such as the costs of water butts or installing dual flush toilets or rain water systems, de-sludging septic tanks or maintaining wells to ensure operating efficiency.
The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced, as it is a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will reduce households’ outlay on water services both now and in the future.
As the Department of Social Protection will administer the grant the process is streamlined and clearer for householders. It is also important that all households have an equal chance to reduce their water consumption in their principal private dwellings. This approach has a number of policy advantages as it makes water charges more affordable for lower income groups; conservation ensures a better use of our water resources and avoids unnecessary or premature expansion of water treatment plants; and it is environmentally sustainable and protects our water environment which is to the benefit of all citizens.
