Written Answers Nos. 429-450
429. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of building inspections by local authority that took place in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [19257/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the Deputy's request, the matters referred to are matters for local authorities, who are independent in the use of their statutory powers under the Building Control Acts 1990-2014.
The Local Government Management Agency collected data on inspections carried out up to 2013 and published this information in the Service Indicators in Local Authorities reports from 2005 to 2013. These reports are available at http://www.lgma.ie/en/publication-category/service-indicator-reports-2004-2010.
Following the commencement of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, the National Oversight & Audit Commission (NOAC) now collects and publishes this data. The Performance Indicators in Local Authorities reports for 2014 & 2015 are available at http://noac.ie/noac-reports/. The 2016 report will be published once it is finalised and the 2017 report will be made available in due course.
430. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of building inspector staff employed by each local authority; and the estimated cost of employing an additional building inspector. [19258/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department collects quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities. However, the data gathered do not provide detail on the number of building inspectors employed in each local authority.
Building Inspector is not a grade within the local authority structure. It is a matter for each Chief Executive to assign an individual staff member to carry out the function of inspecting buildings. Information in relation to average cost of a building inspector is therefore not available in my Department.
431. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of fire safety officers employed by each local authority; and the estimated cost of employing an additional fire safety officer. [19259/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
Each local authority determines the number of fire officers they employ having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. My Department does not collate information in respect of the numbers of fire safety officers that local authorities employ as this is a matter for individual authorities themselves.
432. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of the Waterford boundary review process. [19260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGeneral expenses recouped to date specifically in relation to the Waterford boundary review committee amount to €8,051. This recoupment was in respect of expenses incurred by the committee members. The members provided their time and expertise on a pro bono basis, and no fees were paid to them.
An amount of €70,460 was paid to the Institute of Public Administration for its work in supporting boundary committee reports commissioned in 2016 in respect of Athlone, Carlow, Drogheda and Waterford collectively.
Details of any costs incurred by the individual local authorities from their own resources are a matter for these authorities, and I have no function in this matter.
433. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of the Athlone boundary review process. [19261/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGeneral expenses recouped to date specifically in relation to the Athlone boundary review committee amount to €12,904. This recoupment was in respect of expenses incurred by the committee members. The members provided their time and expertise on a pro bono basis, and no fees were paid to them.
An amount of €70,460 was paid to the Institute of Public Administration for its work in supporting boundary committee reports commissioned in 2016 in respect of Athlone, Carlow, Drogheda and Waterford collectively.
Details of any costs incurred by the individual local authorities from their own resources are a matter for these authorities, and I have no function in this matter.
434. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to improve consistency in collection rates for commercial rates revenues across local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19262/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation pursuant to the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. Many of the provisions are outdated and not suitable for business trends in the modern era. I have asked my Department to develop proposals for a consolidated Rates Bill to modernise and consolidate the legislation in this area. In this regard, the Government approved the drafting of a Rates Bill at its meeting on 11 April 2017. These proposals will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny in due course.
The Debt Management Project Implementation Board, on which my Department and the Local Authority Sector were represented, was established by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in February 2015, to progress the recommendations of the Debt Management Review, which was published in 2014. As part of this process, the local authorities undertook a range of work to improve collection levels including;
- Setting targets for reduction of arrears of commercial rates in each local authority;
- Improved reporting of rates debts in local authority financial statements;
- Introduction of strengthened policies relating to debt collection; and
- The development and rollout of a training and education programme.
As part of this process, the local authority sector prepared a business case for stronger enforcement powers in the collection of commercial rates. This business case was endorsed by the Project Board. Provision for strengthened enforcement powers for local authorities is included in the legislative proposals recently approved by the Government.
435. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will engage with representatives of the parish of Templederry, County Tipperary who wish to make parish-owned land available for housing; if he will arrange for a voluntary housing group to explore with the parish the opportunities that this presents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19277/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a first step, any group or individuals interested in working with approved housing bodies for the provision of housing could make contact with approved housing bodies operating in their county. Information on locally active approved housing bodies is available on the website of the Irish Council for Social Housing at the following link: https://www.icsh.ie/content/search-for-members.
Ultimately, it is the local authorities that identify housing need in their area and oversee and prioritise the development of appropriate responses to meet this need. Approved housing bodies work co-operatively with local authorities in this to ensure that any publicly funded projects to meet housing need are viable and appropriate.
436. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if local authority approval is required under the tenant incremental purchase scheme if a person wishes to rent a room in his or her home; the reason a person must use a valuer from a panel of valuers set up by the local authority and not one of a person's own choosing; if the person purchasing the house passes away within the lien time according to their allowed discount if the lien is passed on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19302/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
Section 25 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 lists the terms and conditions of the sale of a house to a tenant under the 2016 Scheme. These conditions include that the house or any part of it shall not, without the prior written consent of the authority be sold, assigned, let or sublet.
Given the significant value of State assets being sold under the scheme, there is a clear obligation on a local authority to ensure that valuations provided for purposes of the Scheme are carried out by suitably qualified valuers, with the necessary qualifications and experience. In accordance with guidance issued by my Department, authorities should provide potential applicants with a list of approved valuers so that they can choose their own valuer from the list.
If a purchaser passes away within the charge period, the charge remains on the property until such time as it is discharged in line with the relevant provisions of the 2014 Act and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015.
437. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if a person who has inherited an old derelict house that requires renovation can avail of the home renovation incentive scheme and on completion of renovations subsequently hand the house over to the local authority for that person to rent the same house from the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19303/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPillar 5 of the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is specifically focused on utilising existing housing stock, with a key objective of ensuring that houses throughout the country and across all forms of tenure, in both the public and private sectors, are used to the optimum degree possible.
The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed under Pillar 5 to assist private property owners and local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness the accommodation potential that exists in certain vacant properties across Ireland. The scheme is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for rental property. Subject to the suitability of the property for social housing, and the agreement of the property owner, the cost of the necessary repairs - up to a maximum of €40,000 - will be met upfront by the relevant local authority or an Approved Housing Body (AHB). As part of the agreement, the property owner then leases the dwelling to the local authority for use as social housing for a length that is linked to the value of the repairs but subject to a minimum of 10 years. The value of the repairs is offset incrementally against the agreed rental payment over a defined period within the lease.
Other initiatives to utilise vacant housing stock for social housing include the Buy and Renew Scheme. The full details of this scheme are being finalised and will be communicated to local authorities shortly. Prospective housing units for the scheme will need to be suitable for social housing use, in an area of need and to represent reasonable value for money.
Where the owner of a vacant property wishes to avail of the Repair and Leasing Scheme or the Buy and Renew Scheme, they should contact their local authority. Furthermore, if a property owner wishes to explore making their property available to a local authority for social housing use using a range of other lease or rental options, they should similarly contact their local authority. In every case, a property secured for social housing use by a local authority, by way of a lease or rental agreement, is allocated to a household on a local authority waiting list in accordance with that local authority's scheme of letting priorities.
I have no function in the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme, which is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and comes within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Finance.
438. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if funding has been allocated to Dublin City Council for extensions to local authority residences to help alleviate overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19308/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides capital funding to Local Authorities to undertake adaptations and extensions to their existing social housing stock. The scheme applies to extensions that are needed to address overcrowding.
The Department is currently in the process of assessing the funding requirements for each Local Authority for 2017.
It is expected that works should take place throughout the year to allow for the full utilisation of the 2017 funding allocation to each local authority. To facilitate this and to ensure that there is no delay in respect of priority works under the programme, Local Authorities have been advised that they may undertake works up to a maximum value of 65% of their 2016 allocation in advance of specific approval of the 2017 allocation.
439. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if a local area plan requires to be recommenced rather than material changes going on public display, the circumstances in which this can occur; if it is a reserved or executive function; the circumstances that allow a Minister to intervene; the point in the process this can occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19327/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if there is a flexibility or facility for councillors to change the timeframe and-or add an additional public consultation period within the same as a reserved function, in view of the fact that setting and adopting a local area plan is a reserved function of a municipal district, unless it traverses more than one municipality. [19798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 463 together.
Sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, together with the planning guidelines on local area plans issued by my Department under Section 28 of the Act, set out the statutory process to be followed in the preparation of statutory Local Area Plans and public consultation processes to be followed.
Within this statutory process there is no provision for elected members to change statutory preparation timeframes and-or add an additional public consultation period.
It is ultimately a matter for a planning authority to progress a local area plan process, once commenced, within the statutorily defined timeframes. My Department is aware that in isolated situations some local area plan review processes may not be completed and would instead be restarted due to inadvertent procedural issues or omissions.
The legislation provides for extensive consultation in relation to the making, amendment or revoking of a local area plan, both with the general public and with certain prescribed bodies including my Department, who are offered the opportunity to make submissions or observations which must be considered by the planning authority.
Where local authorities fail to adopt policies that reflect the overall national policy position or breach statutory requirements, the Oireachtas has provided the Minister with powers to direct a planning authority to amend a statutory local area plan under procedures set out in Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Section 31 is essentially a safeguarding mechanism that follows on from statutory consultation by planning authorities with the Minister in drawing up or amending their statutory development plans or local area plans.
440. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will direct local authorities to source available accommodation for HAP tenancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19378/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra489. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the circumstances in which HAP payments over the agreed limits are made to landlords; the amounts over the agreed limits; the number of such payments in 2016 and to date in 2017 by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20303/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra490. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of HAP tenancies ended by the landlord before the agreed ten-year period in 2016 and to date in 2017 by county; the reason for such terminations; the subsequent housing arrangements made for those tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20304/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 440, 489 and 490 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is now available to all eligible households throughout the State. There are currently more than 20,700 households in receipt of HAP, including 7,000 households that were previously supported by Rent Supplement.
One of the key principles of the HAP scheme is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector, which best suits their needs in their area of choice, as provided for under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. This is distinct from other forms of social housing support, where the tenant may not always find their own accommodation and instead are allocated a dwelling. Under the Homeless HAP scheme, which is operated by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive on behalf of the 4 Dublin local authorities, a place finder service has been provided to assist homeless households with sourcing HAP accommodation. A similar service will be available to homeless households in the Cork City Council area from 8 May 2017. Given that to date in 2017, an average of almost 350 additional households a week are being supported by HAP, I consider the practice of households sourcing their own accommodation under the scheme to be an effective approach to providing housing support, as it gives households choice.
There is no limitation on the length of a tenancy that can be supported by the HAP scheme. HAP supported tenancies are agreed between the landlord and the tenant; the local authority is not a party to the tenancy and has no role in its agreement. However, as with other private rental tenancies, the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended) governs the relationship between the landlord and the tenant. The length of the tenancy is a matter that must be agreed between the landlord and tenant. My Department does not hold information in relation to the length of individual tenancies.
Where a HAP supported tenancy comes to an end, the tenant can find alternative accommodation and retain their eligibility for HAP support or the local authority may decide to offer another form of social housing support to the tenant in accordance with their scheme of letting priorities.
Since 1 July 2016, all local authorities have been provided with a statutory discretion to exceed HAP rent limits by up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit in circumstances where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions, to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis. At the end of Q1 2017, 9.5% of the total number of households (excluding qualified homeless households) being supported by HAP had some additional flexibility applied to the monthly HAP payment being made to their landlord on their behalf.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of the HAP scheme and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious delivery programme committed to under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
441. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 402 of 21 March 2017, the number of meter boxes that were not reused by Uisce Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19382/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 402 of 21 March 2017.
Irish Water committed to reusing previously installed meter boxes where possible. Irish Water examined each pre-existing meter box to establish if it could be reused. In some cases it was not possible to reuse the meter box for a variety of reasons including insufficient depth of cover, pre-existing damage to the meter box or incompatibility with the Irish Water meter. Irish Water does not have a record of the number of meter boxes not reused.
442. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 402 of 21 March 2017, the number of meter boxes and water meters installed by local authorities in advance of the Uisce Éireann water meter installation project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19383/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 402 of 21 March 2017.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Prior to this, responsibility for water services infrastructure was a matter for local authorities under Section 31 of the Water Services Act 2007.
Prior to the commencement of the national metering programme, a pre-installation survey was undertaken by local authorities to inform the procurement process. This survey primarily identified the location of the outside stop valves and properties that were suitable for metering by Irish Water. Where water meters and meter boxes were installed in advance of the metering programme as a condition of planning, I understand that in some cases the planning authority only requested that a meter box be installed, while in other cases the installation of a meter box and meter was required. Irish Water committed to reusing previously installed meter boxes where possible and over the course of the metering programme in excess of 125,000 meter boxes were reused by Irish Water.
Irish Water does not have total data on the number of meter boxes and/or water meters installed in advance of its establishment.
443. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has received a submission made by persons (details supplied); if he will include these properties in the regeneration scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19409/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of proposals in relation to the inclusion of certain areas within the Cork City Northwest Regeneration programme. The Revised Masterplan for Cork City Northwest Regeneration Programme was adopted by the Council in 2011, following extensive consultation with elected members, residents and other key stakeholders and it is not proposed to extend the areas covered by the programme.
I understand that Cork City Council is in regular contact with the residents of areas adjacent to the regeneration area and has met with resident representatives of these areas, and, inter alia, has assured them that the regeneration programme has and will continue to develop improved community facilities and that the benefits of these facilities are available to residents beyond the precise areas covered by the regeneration programme.
444. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the annual budget for Traveller specific accommodation for County Wexford for each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and the amount of this that was spent and the amount not drawn down for each year. [19467/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocations and recoupment profiles for capital Traveller accommodation projects can vary across local authorities given the local priorities, circumstances and project timelines as set out in the Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) prepared by local authorities under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998. Funding is recouped to local authorities on eligible expenditure incurred and, where it is likely that an allocation to a local authority may be unspent or under-spent, my Department engages with local authorities to reallocate the funding in order to ensure that drawdown is maximised. The allocation and recoupment data for Wexford County Council for the years 2012 - 2016 requested by the Deputy are set out in tabular form.
With regard to 2017, my Department issued a circular to all local authorities in February 2017 advising them of the increase in the capital provision for Traveller Accommodation to €9 m, an increase of €3.5 m on 2016, and requested local authorities to submit details of projects that they anticipate will have a funding requirement in 2017. My Department is currently examining these returns as part of the capital allocations process for 2017. This process will be completed shortly and the outcome will be notified to the local authorities.
Wexford County Council Traveller Accommodation Allocations 2012-2016
|
Allocation 2012 |
Allocation 2013 |
Allocation 2014 |
Allocation 2015 |
Allocation 2016 |
|
€285,000 |
€150,000 |
€105,901 |
0 |
€96,000 |
Wexford County Council Traveller Accommodation Recoupment 2012-2016
|
Recouped 2012 |
Recouped 2013 |
Recouped 2014 |
Recouped 2015 |
Recouped 2016 |
|
€172,552 |
€150,000 |
€328,733 |
€30,906 |
€87,695 |
445. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if family income supplement will be excluded from the assessment of income for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra466. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will revise the thresholds for inclusion on the social housing list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19847/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 466 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all housing authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. Most payments received from the Department of Social Protection are assessable, including Family Income Supplement. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and housing authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off.
A review of the income eligibility limits for social housing supports as part of the broader social housing reform agenda set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020 is scheduled to commence later this year.
446. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if, in relation to the additional family accommodation exemption clause in respect of the non-principal private residence charge, in a circumstance in which the relative living in the dwelling did not change their address for the purposes of utility bills, bank statements and so on, an affidavit signed by an independent person such as a solicitor, notary public confirming that they did reside in the dwelling could be considered as acceptable evidence of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19494/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) Charge. The NPPR Charge, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence. The NPPR Charge is based on self-declaration and therefore the onus is on the property owner themselves to register their property and make the payment.
A number of exemptions from the Charge are set out in section 4 of the 2009 Act and section 4(6) provides for an exemption from the Charge in a situation where a residential property is occupied rent-free as the sole or main residence of a relative of the owner and the sole or main residence of the owner is either on the same property or within two kilometres of it.
The 2009 Act places the Charge under the care and management of the local authorities and the application of the Charge in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority.
447. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 305 of 29 November 2016 and Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 8 February 2017, if the legal advice in this case has been fully analysed and a decision made in the matter of providing ex gratia payments to former employees of LCDP companies made redundant and whereby no moneys were available to fund payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19523/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matters concerned, including the associated legal advice, remain under consideration in my Department. My Department is endeavouring to bring these considerations to a conclusion as soon as possible, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
448. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of new water connections for houses in County Tipperary in each of the years 2014 to 2016, in tabular form; the total revenue from these connections annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19539/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is not available in my Department. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Domestic water connections are a matter for the utility and are a matter in which I have no function.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
449. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total revenue annually in each of the years 2014 to 2016 for commercial non-domestic use water, in tabular form in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19540/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is not available in my Department. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, including non-domestic billing. Prior to this, non-domestic water charging and billing were matters for the relevant local authority.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
450. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the charging structure for each county for persons with multiple meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19541/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Metering is a matter for the utility and one in which I have no function.
Domestic water charges have been suspended since 1 July 2016.
Any business connected to a public water supply is liable for charges as a non-domestic customer. It should be noted that the arrangements in place for all non-domestic customers on 1 January 2014 remain in place with no changes for the time being.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is progressing a review of all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs and in conjunction with Irish Water will establish an enduring non-domestic tariff framework. The CER has published an information note informing customers and interested parties about the project and will shortly engage in a period of public consultation on the enduring tariff framework for non-domestic water and/or wastewater customers of Irish Water.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
