Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is not unique. Water is such a valuable resource that the grant going to people like that is well deserved. In fact, judging by my travels, it has been welcomed in rural Ireland.

There is €130 million for a demand-led scheme. If demand increases, so be it. That will indicate success in many ways. I outlined to the House the figures that were requested.

I indicated that the billing and metering costs are coming in at €22 million. These are the figures that were given to me. Deputies opposite can say the costs are lower if they wish, but I have conveyed the information that was given to me. I further outlined to the House that the figures do not include the long-term financing costs of the metering programme of approximately €41 million.

The information I have given shows clearly that the costs are less than the revenue, which was ultimately the question that was asked. I have outlined that the costs in regard to the water conservation grant should not be taken as part of this equation. I had to wait almost an hour to give that information to the House. Some of the Deputies opposite might not like the figures I have set out, but they represent the facts and are given in response to the questions Deputies asked.

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