James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will increase the national figure of 50,000 gallons designated as the domestic allowance for a house with a meter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/07]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 567: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will amend the existing water pricing policy as it is unfair to small counties like Longford, which has one of the highest levels of water and wastewater charges here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18751/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 567 together.

In accordance with the Water Framework Directive and the polluter pays principle, local authorities are required to recover the cost of providing water services to the non-domestic sector from consumers using the services for non-domestic purposes. This requirement applies nationally.

Where there is a mixture of domestic and non-domestic use in a premises, an allowance, based on the local authority's reasonable estimation of the domestic element of water consumption in the premises, is used to reduce the overall charge to the consumer. While it is matter for each local authority to determine its domestic allowance, billing guidance issued by the Department in December 2006 recommended the introduction of a domestic allowance of 225 cubic metres or 49,500 gallons in the case of all mixed-use properties. This would constitute a generous allowance in the context of per capita consumption of water in carrying out normal domestic activities.