Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to charges for water meters for farmers who have land holdings in more than one location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42576/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities are required to recover non-domestic water services costs from users including farm installation. Relevant costs to be recovered include marginal capital costs and operational, administrative and meter installation costs.

Following a pilot billing project in one local authority area, and having regard to discussions conducted with farming representatives, I am arranging for the billing guidance being prepared for local authorities to include a request that authorities consider the necessity for special discounting arrangements in the case of water meters on multiple fragmented small farm holdings when deciding their water charges. My Department will issue this guidance to local authorities shortly.