Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the timetable for the provision of a sewerage scheme in Rochfortbridge, County Westmeath; if he will ensure that all steps are accelerated for the provision of this important infrastructural facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4323/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Rochfortbridge sewerage scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 under the serviced land initiative. Westmeath County Council's contract documents for the scheme were approved by my Department in June 2004. Revisions to the contract documents were subsequently approved in September 2005 and it is now a matter for the council to proceed with the tender process.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if all new one-off houses in rural areas will be metered for water consumption; if the occupants must pay for water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4334/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware that sanitary authorities may in particular circumstances meter domestic water usage in order to assist water management and conservation measures. However, Government policy prohibits the charging of domestic households for domestic water meter services.

In the case of domestic water supply provided by way of a private group water scheme, the installation of meters on individual connections is a matter for the group scheme management to decide. Groups are eligible for an annual subsidy from my Department of up to €196.81 per house towards the operational cost of providing domestic water supplies to members. Where meters are installed by a group scheme as an integral part of a network upgrading and water conservation programme, grants of up to 85% of costs are payable, subject to a maximum grant of €300 per meter.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 553: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether it is discriminatory against farmers who have a number of water connections on their property, that they would be forced to pay for each connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4335/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the EU water framework directive, the national water services pricing policy framework provides for the recovery by sanitary authorities of the full cost of providing water services from the users of these services, with the exception of households using the services for domestic purposes. This policy of cost recovery from the non-domestic sector extends to the provision of meters. The latter are necessary to ensure water charging of users according to actual consumption; this is planned to be commenced in all areas by December 2006.

Where it is not possible to measure a supply to a farm or business at a single point, and an additional meter or meters must be installed, the costs of such additional meters are, in accordance with the above arrangements, recovered from customers who require them.