Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A household with a rainwater harvesting system has an automatic advantage because it will not use as much water. The Minister of State has said that certain people can pay to install the system if they have money. That means that the people who do not have the money to do so shall be left at a great disadvantage and will have to use more water that is supplied by the public system being developed. That is an example of great inequity and harks back to the earlier debate on a person's ability to pay. People on a lesser income who cannot afford to install the technology will be left at a disadvantage when compared with the people who have money in their back packet and can pay people to install a system. The latter will not need to use as much water. The Minister of State has been very disingenuous and the Minister and the Government will have to revisit the matter. Perhaps the Minister for Finance will consider introducing tax incentives in his next budget in order to allow people carry out such measures. That is the type of thing that my party has pointed towards.

The Minister of State mentioned school bills. Is the Department in discussion with the Department of Education and Skills about new school builds? Will rainwater harvesting systems be grant-aided through the grants for extensions, new builds, etc.? The measure would ensure that water conservation is part of new builds in the future. What discussions have been held at departmental level? What discussions are taking place at local level? At present not a great amount of local authority housing is being built but there are plans to do more. Are there ongoing discussions with local authorities to ensure that a rainwater harvesting system and other regulations are in place and to install such technology in new builds?