Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 759: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been brought to the difficulties of the water services pricing policy on non-commercial institutions and bodies such as community groups and charities; the way this policy differs in its application to commercial bodies and non-commercial bodies; and if he will undertake to introduce a waiver scheme that could offset at least some of the costs applying to non-profit organisations. [17433/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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. Waiver provisions in relation to local government services are generally targeted at relieving personal hardship rather than reducing changes to a broad sector such as non-commercial bodies.