Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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532. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if consideration is being given to a system of allowances for water charges that allows higher allowances for persons with specified medical conditions that necessarily entail higher than average water usage; the work has been done on this matter to date; and if there will be any public consultation on the way the allowance system will operate. [3827/14]

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.  An inter-departmental working group has been established to advise the Government on the appropriate method for addressing affordability issues which may arise with the introduction of domestic water charges. The group is examining 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.