Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce a nationwide water charge waiver scheme for schools and community organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14010/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Article 9.1 of the EU Water Framework Directive requires Member States to take account of the principle of water services cost recovery, including environmental and resource costs, in accordance with the polluter pays principle. The Directive is being implemented in Ireland in relation to the non-domestic sector on the basis of recovery of all non-domestic water services costs from non-domestic users of the services through water charges.

This is being achieved by means of a meter based volumetric charge to ensure water charging of users according to actual consumption. Metering should also encourage water conservation. This framework does not provide for the exemption of any classes of non-domestic users from the charging policy.