Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The objective is to install water meters in households and move to a charging system based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals, which will include consideration of the impacts on those categories of households referred to in the question.

The programme for Government also proposes the establishment of a new State-owned water company, Irish Water. The memorandum of understanding between Ireland, the European Union and the International Monetary Fund commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility. Work on the independent assessment is under way. The assessment will examine the optimal organisational structures for Irish Water, consider the associated legal, financial and organisational issues, and recommend an implementation timetable. The outcome of the assessment will be considered by the Government together with proposals for the establishment of Irish Water before the end of 2011.

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