Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has been involved in discussions with other Departments regarding the likely implications for social welfare recipients and those on low incomes of the flagged introduction of water charges; if research has been conducted to quantify the likely demand for emergency payments from social protection funds should such charges be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10445/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The objective is to install water meters in all households and move to a charging system based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals and it will be considering the potential impacts on low income households in consultation with the Department for Social Protection. I am not aware of any research by the Department of Social Protection on the likely demand for emergency payments.