Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2017
156. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position regarding the reimbursement of Irish Water customers who are solely connected to a sewerage system and do not utilise mains water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14298/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomestic water charges are currently suspended. Under the 'confidence and supply' arrangement between the Government and Fianna Fáil agreed in the context of supporting a minority government, the Oireachtas has established a Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services. It is tasked with examining the recommendations of the Expert Commission on Domestic Public Water Services and endeavouring to make its own recommendations. The Oireachtas will vote on the Joint Oireachtas Committee's recommendations within one month of the committee's report. The committee is due to finalise its report by mid-April.
Among the issues the Joint Oireachtas Committee is considering are domestic water charges arrears and any possible refunds of charges paid to date. The 'confidence and supply' arrangement affirms that those who have paid their water bills to date will be treated no less favourably than those who have not. No decisions on these issues will be made until the current deliberative process is complete.
