Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
1034. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of commercial water charges debt that has been written off as bad debt by Irish Water or local councils since 2007. [12247/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1037. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the revenue raised by commercial water charges versus general taxation spend on water services since 2007. [12257/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1038. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the non-payment levels for commercial water charges since 2007. [12258/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1034, 1037 and 1038 together.
The consolidated local authority Annual Financial Statements (AFS) compiled by my Department from the audited financial statements published by each local authority provide a summary of major revenue collections, including in respect of commercial water, at Appendix 7. The AFS are available on my Department’s Website at: http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/archived/archived/current/type/publications?query=Local%20Authority%20Financial%20Statement. The AFS information as presented in its current form commenced in 2009; accordingly, the consolidated information requested prior to 2009 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 the collection of non-domestic water charges.
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.
Irish Water reports on commercial charges under the heading Non-Domestic Revenue in its annual financial statements. These figures include revenue from new connections and non-domestic revenue. The amounts reported as Non-Domestic Revenue by Irish Water for 2014-2017 are as follows:
|
Year |
Non-Domestic Revenue |
|
|
€’000 |
|
2014 |
248,000 |
|
2015 |
219,872 |
|
2016 |
231,755 |
|
2017 |
261,217 |
The average non collection rate for non-domestic users is approximately 11%, which is provided for as a bad debt provision in the annual financial statements from 2014-2017. This provision is calculated based on collection trends, and review and application of relevant accounting standards. It should be noted that these figures reflect bad debt provisions and not amounts written off the debtor book.
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 Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers. The CRU is undertaking a review of all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs and in conjunction with Irish Water will establish an enduring non-domestic tariff framework. Information Notes are published by the CRU from time to time to inform and update customers and all stakeholders on the broad approach being pursued and setting out the proposed timeframe for the overall project and outlining details of papers to be published by the CRU for public consultation and corresponding timelines.
