Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2015
183. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of personal public service numbers in the administration of the water conservation grant; if these numbers will be provided to any third-party company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15011/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo 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 from September 2015 and on an annual basis thereafter. 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. An allocation of €130m for the grant scheme has been provided in my Department’s Estimate for 2015.
My Department, in consultation with the Department of Social Protection, is currently finalising the modalities of the water conservation grant. I will thereafter make Regulations under the Water Services Act 2014 which will provide for the terms and conditions attaching to the grant, including specifying 30 June 2015 as the date by which households will need to have responded to the Irish Water campaign if they are to be eligible for the grant in 2015. All households registered with Irish Water under its application campaign will be contacted directly by the Department of Social Protection from July 2015. The Department of Social Protection will require certain details to process the grant including the Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) of the applicant and bank details. Further information on the grant is available at www.watergrant.ie.
