Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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202. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the report of the Water Services Affordability Group has been completed; if so, when he plans to publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1907/14]

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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216. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if additional free water allowances will be given in cases (details supplied), when water charges are introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2081/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 216 together.

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. An 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 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 will submit a final report for consideration by Government when it has completed its examination of the issues involved. This will allow for 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.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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203. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of the report commissioned by his Department and undertaken by the ESRI on the affordability in the provision of water services in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1908/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In January 2013, the Economic and Social Research Institute was commissioned by my Department to undertake a study of water affordability and the provision of water services in Ireland. The report was finalised in March 2013 and cost €51,798.

An inter-departmental working group was established in October 2013 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 Economic and Social Research Institute has carried out additional analysis to support the work of this Group at a cost of €5,857.26.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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204. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason there is no provision in the Water Services Bill No.2 as proposed by the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht in their report on water provision in June 2012 whereby Irish Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation would be obliged to consult, co-operate with and take account of the views of a statutory consumer-focused body, on water issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1909/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Water Services Acts 2013 provide that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) will be responsible for the economic regulation of Irish Water. In particular, the CER will be responsible for approving the water charges plans prepared by Irish Water, and for approving codes of practice to be prepared by Irish Water. The codes of practice will cover matters such as the standard of performance , by Irish Water, of its functions; the provision of information by Irish Water to its customers; and the making of complaints by its customers.

In discharging its functions, the CER may consult with Irish Water, the public, or any other person it considers appropriate. The Commission has already undertaken public consultations on the development of the economic regulatory framework for water services and will be undertaking further consultations during 2014.