Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
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167. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount for the contract for the installation of water meters overseen by Irish Water; if he will confirm this figure in view of the fact that Irish Water has released similar figures for consultant fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3442/14]

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. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme.

The current water meter installation programme commenced in August 2013 and the approved budget for the programme is €539 million (excluding VAT) which includes the supply of materials and the installation work by contractors operating in eight regions.