Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Bill provides that the database can be used solely for the purpose of paying a water conservation grant under section 5 of the Water Services Act 2014. It may not be used for any other purpose. A figure of €130 million has been provided in the Department's Estimate for the water conservation grants scheme in 2015. This includes the administration costs for the Department of Social Protection which are estimated at €6 million. The administration costs include one off costs such as website design and development which will not be incurred in future years.

In regard to the measures for which the grant can be used, the website for the water conservation grant provides certain information on options available to households for the sustainable use of water in the home. The €100 grant which is paid to households that have registered with Irish Water can be used to purchase some of the devices available to conserve water such as water butts to recycle water, water displacement devices to reduce water flow in toilets and aerators to reduce water flow from taps. It can also be used towards the cost of repairing household plumbing systems, thereby reducing leakages. That will be welcomed by some households.

I cannot accept amendment No. 9 which proposes to delete section 50 which provides for the establishment of a database of water services to facilitate the payment of the water conservation grant from 2016 onwards. These provisions are essential for the establishment and maintenance of the database which, in turn, will facilitate the payment of the grant by the Department of Social Protection. Section 50 also provides that the establishment and maintenance of the database will be functions of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The database shall include information on the water services supplied to a dwelling and details of the occupier, including his or her name, address and whether the dwelling is the owner's principal private residence. The management of data will be subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Acts.

The other amendments simply propose the deletion of the section. Without these provisions, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government would have no basis on which to pay the annual €100 grant to households. Accordingly, I cannot accept the amendments.