Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the prices charged to domestic and to business consumers for water in each county or local authority district here; if he will explain the variation in prices; if there exists or is in development any policy that will standardise same; and the guidelines in place for local authorities to ensure that the pricing of water is fair and reasonable. [6616/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In 1998, the then Government approved a Water Pricing Policy which required the local authorities to recover the cost of providing water services from non-domestic users of these services. Detailed guidance on the implementation of the policy was issued by my Department to local authorities between 1998 and 2004. The policy provides for cost recovery without profit, with charges based on actual metered consumption. The volumetric rates for water and waste services are set each year by each local authority based on the cost of service delivery within their functional area. The determination of the consolidated charge is a function of the local authorities and the charges being applied in 2012 are available from the local authorities. The Programme for Government provides for the reform of water services delivery including the establishment of Irish Water, a new State-owned water company and the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The Memorandum of Understanding with the EU, the IMF and the ECB also contains commitments for the reform of water services delivery and operation and the introduction of domestic water charges. The Government is also proposing to establish an independent economic regulator for water within the Commission for Energy Regulation. The regulator will be responsible for setting a clear determination of the efficient costs for the provision of water and waste water service and ensuring efficiencies are driven and costs for customers reduced.

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 a public water utility and the introduction of domestic water charges. The details of the consultation process can be found on my Department's website and submissions can be made to my Department until 24 February 2012.