Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount it will cost to install water meters in every home in the country; where the finance for this initiative will be found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4833/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government intends initiating a universal water metering programme in advance of the introduction of domestic water charges which are required under the Memorandum of Understanding with the EU/IMF/ECB. My Department has prepared detailed cost estimates for the metering programme and it is intended that procurement for the programme will commence later this year. For reasons of commercial sensitivity, and so as not to adversely impact on the tendering process, my Department will not be releasing the cost estimates before contracts are put in place. The Government plans to fund the metering programme from the National Pensions Reserve Fund in accordance with the Fund's statutory remit.

On 16 January 2012, I commenced a public consultation on the Government's proposals for reform of water services delivery in Ireland, including metering and water charges, seeking views from the public on the establishment of Irish Water and the introduction of water charges. The details of the consultation process can be found on my Department's website (www.environ.ie). Submissions on the Government's proposals can be made to my Department until 24 February 2012.