Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on an exemption for water rates for a charity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16206/08]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason community groups are being charged water rates in view of the fact that they are not businesses and are currently in the process of applying for charity status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16209/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 453 and 471 together.

In accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive, local authorities are required to recover the cost of providing water services from all non-domestic users of these services, by means of a meter based volumetric charge to ensure water charging of users according to actual consumption. The only exemption from water charges provided for in Irish legislation, and recognised as constituting established practice at the time of adoption of the Water Framework Directive, is water usage for ordinary household purposes occurring in dwelling houses. As community groups, regardless of their status for tax purposes, do not fall within this exemption, they are liable to pay water charges.