Results 2,661-2,680 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (18 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I intend to shortly publish a non-statutory Planning Policy Statement to act as a general guiding document to the operation of the planning system. It will present a concise and clear statement of what the purpose of planning is, and the values and principles that should underpin planning. It will outline the key principles to act as a strategic guide to ensure the sustainable development of...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Senator looked after a few himself in his day.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I have followed this debate very closely here today. Some strong views have been expressed from all sides. This debate has focused everyone's attention on the real value of water as a precious resource. I would like to pay specific attention to the case raised by Senator Healy Eames. There will always be exceptional cases involving people with medical conditions. The measures taken by the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I said it would be delayed, not that they would lose it.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I wish to make it clear that this amendment is all about timing. It affects the timing of rebates from Irish Water to customers. The relevant section specifies that 1 January is the stated time. There is one rebate and one only as people move from no meter to having a meter. There is one opportunity. I reiterate that Senator Healy Eames's amendment affects when a person can get a rebate....

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Senator. For example, a single adult household with no water meter will pay a capped charge of €160 in 2015. If the water meter is installed subsequently and showed that the customer only used €100 worth of water, he or she would be entitled to claim a rebate of the difference, which would be €60. If we accept the amendment, rebates will be pushed back...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: It is a one and one only rebate.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The meter can only be put in once and, therefore, there will only be one rebate.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: No. They would be on metered usage and if they were using less than the capped charge, that would be measured.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: One is working off their metered usage.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: This issue also came up in the Lower House. The Senator is confusing the water conservation grant with the Irish Water rebate.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Senator is. She just mentioned customers getting €100 back. That is the conservation grant paid to every householder to assist them in whatever why they feel best to reduce water usage. It is a separate matter altogether. The rebate comes into play if people have a meter installed. If their usage is low, they will be entitled to a rebate for the period in which they had no...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I have addressed that.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I am happy to clarify this. The reason it is once only is the meter is only installed once. Once it is installed, regular usage will be recorded on the meter.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The meter can only be installed once. If people use less water during the flat charge period when they are metered, we will reocgnise that by giving them a rebate.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: It is not.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: This is to encourage conservation and efficient use of a critical resource that we have been discussing all day long.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The water conservation grant is a universal payment to all householders-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: -----irrespective of whether they are customers of Irish Water. Thousands of people will sign up with the company while thousands of people are members of group schemes that pay for water and thousands of others have private wells. They have to maintain them and their septic tanks. The €100 payment is a contribution to recognise that and to incentivise people to monitor their use of...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Senator seems to be against it.