Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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651. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of revenue collected in each county in new water rates due to be introduced in 2015 that will be ring-fenced and reinvested in upgrading the water network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45665/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water and enabled the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to advise on the regulation of water services. Further legislation, currently in preparation, will provide Irish Water with responsibility for the provision of water services. It is intended that the legislation will also require Irish Water to have regard to regional and local development plans when it is preparing strategic and capital investment plans.

In addition, the legislation will provide for the establishment of an economic regulator for water services within the CER. While the primary function of the CER will be to protect the interests of customers and to ensure that a consistent and appropriate level of service is provided to them, it will also be responsible for approving the tariffs to be charged by Irish Water. In fulfilling its functions, the CER will have regard, inter alia, to the need to ensure that there is an efficient system for the provision of water services and the need to promote the conservation of water.