Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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888. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date in determining the pricing scheme for the water meters currently being installed; if there will be a free allowance; if the allowance will be calculated on a per person or per household basis; and the details available currently to households. [37393/13]

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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898. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the principle that recipients of social welfare payments should get a basic free allowance of water and that charges should only apply for usage above that allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37622/13]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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945. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the water charge allowances that are planned for persons with illnesses and larger families (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38255/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 888, 898 and 945 together.

The Programme for Government sets out a commitment for the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies.

The Government has also decided to assign responsibility for the economic regulation of the water sector, including the setting of charges, to the Commission for Energy Regulation. The primary role of the Regulator will be to protect the interests of customers and to ensure a consistent and appropriate level of service is provided to them.  An appropriate approach to charging customers will be put in place and a public consultation will take place as part of the regulatory process. 

Affordability issues will be addressed by my Department, in consultation with the Department of Social Protection, the Regulator, Irish Water and other stakeholders, in the context of developing a water pricing framework. The agreed approach to affordability issues will then be reflected in the charging structure established by the Regulator. No decision has yet been taken on the level of, or the approach to, the free allowance.