Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the installation of water meters or provision for same in new developments, and water pipe replacement works; the number of cases in which provision for meters has been made; the date on which this policy began; the reason it was commenced; the way it has been funded to date; if it's the €80 or €400 meter that has been provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25745/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Government has decided to install water meters in households connected to public water supplies. I expect that the installation programme will commence later in 2012.

My Department understands that the planning process in a number of local authorities requires the developer to install meter boundary boxes in new residential developments, where the boxes can be installed at a much lower cost as the development is being constructed. However, my Department does not have figures on the number of domestic properties in each local authority area where a boundary box has been installed, and has not provided any funding for meter installation in residential developments.

My Department has prepared detailed cost estimates for the metering programme, which it would be inappropriate to release in advance of the procurement process.