Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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529. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if an exemption on water meter charges will be given to families who are providing care for children with disabilities at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1703/14]

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. A n inter-departmental working group has been established to advise the Government on the appropriate method for addressing water poverty and water affordability issues which may arise with the introduction of domestic water charges. The Water Affordability Working Group will examine the issues arising for those with specific medical conditions, which require high water usage, in the course of its work.

The 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 during 2014.