Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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163. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if consideration has been give to persons with special needs that rely on additional quantities of water to assist with their condition when allocating free usage allowances to residential water customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54712/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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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. In regard to the water affordability issues which may arise with the introduction of domestic water charges, an inter-departmental working group has been established to advise the Government on the appropriate method for addressing water poverty issues.

The Water Affordability Working Group comprises 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.