Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am seeking a debate in the House on water and waste water charges. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, was to commence the streamlining and standardisation of the over 500 different tariffs for non-domestic water charges and waste water charges but this process has been postponed until 1 May 2021. That is to be welcomed. At the same time, we need details on where the charges will be applied, what charges will be applied and how they will be implemented, particularly at this time, when businesses are going through such a difficult time.There are a lot of changes in business and how businesses operate and in the charges levied on them, least of all the water and wastewater charges.

Wastewater and water charges are a major cost for businesses and anything we can do should be done to reduce that cost for them. It is important that we would have a debate here in the not too distant future to look at this and to see how it will operate. The CRU is advising people and businesses to go online and see how it affects them. It states that some people may face a reduction in charges of up to €250 but it in some cases it will be €750. However, that €750 reduction will be implemented over a three-year period in some cases and there will be a cap of 10% on the annual bill. While the other charges are complicated, this seems to be complicated as well so I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on this issue.