Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I agree the extent of water wastage is frightening. We all know from group, council and public water schemes that much water is being lost and leaked for various reasons. However, there must be some logic behind the introduction of metering and the logic of charging is one of the first that comes to mind. The Minister of State observes that water for commercial use will be metered and charged but many schools and other community-based facilities will face water charges also. I am aware of several schools which are finding it difficult to raise the substantial funds required to pay for metered water through various schemes, whether public, private or group. This is more like domestic than commercial usage because if the pupils are not using the water at home they are using it at school and vice versa. Grants should be provided to schools, which are being metered.

If the ground rule is being established that all water will be metered there must be a logic as to why. I presume it is certainly not for the sake having a meter. A meter is of no benefit unless it is read and if the meters are read there will surely be a certain quantity of water prescribed per household. The figure of 50,000 gallons per annum is the one that has been taken for group and public water schemes for the last few years as the amount allowable for the grants that are being paid. There must be an apparatus for reading the meters that are being established and if people exceed the amount that has been prescribed over the last several years, will there be a charge even for domestic users? That is the issue. The other issue concerns the water usage of schools and community facilities. We can take it that it is not commercial because secondary schools are not getting cash for it, but they have to collect and pay for it.