Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to answer personally. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, would be able to give the Deputy the details he is seeking, which are not mentioned in Question No. 62.

Therefore, I cannot give him an answer. I accept there are financial difficulties but clearly the budget for RAPID is a priority budget. In 2004, it was €3.276 million while it will be €3.077 million for 2013. Notwithstanding the difficulties we are in, that is not an insignificant amount of money. Of course, I would like more money to be given. Everyone would, but that is the reality within which we must work.

In respect of the Deputy's question about the troika, I thought I made it clear in the answer that charging for water will commence from the third quarter of 2014 but the first bill will not issue before 1 January 2015 and the date for that will be set by the Government.

The question about Dublin City Council was asked earlier. More than 500,000 houses have been assessed as to whether water meters can be installed at this moment in time. I can get the Deputy the figures for Dublin city later.

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