Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

472. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the membership and work of the water affordability working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49343/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to 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. Following discussions of water affordability issues which may arise with the introduction of domestic water charges, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Infrastructure agreed that an inter-departmental working group should be established to advise the Government on the appropriate method for addressing water poverty issues.

The Water Affordability Working Group comprises officials of my Department and the Departments of the Taoiseach, Social Protection, Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance. The Group is to prepare a report for consideration by the Government to enable decisions on the proposed approach to be taken in advance of proposed public consultation by the Commission for Energy Regulation on the approach to the design of domestic water tariffs in early 2014.