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

The budget for water infrastructure at present, both capital and current, is ¤1.2 billion. The income from that nationwide at present is ¤200 million. That is from commercial metering. Uncollected accounts in that area amount to more than 30%, which is also a serious issue. Irish Water will start with the money it will get from the commercial rates. It will also get whatever actual cost is factored in for domestic income. Clearly, it will have an overdraft, which can be to a maximum of ¤500 million. The moneys it will need should be available, but will have to be accounted for in a proper, transparent way.