Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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647. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a policy on social affordability measures for vulnerable customers of the new Water Authority have been developed; when they will be available for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12901/14]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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649. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the water charge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12915/14]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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666. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a person will be liable for water charges if their sole source of water is from a well located on their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13178/14]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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667. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the water affordability working group have completed their report; if he will make available the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13181/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 647, 649, 666 and 667 together.

With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it .  Irish Water will not collect charges from any households not connected to a public water supply, including households served by private wells. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.

The approach to charging will be outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan to be submitted by it to the CER in line with the provisions of the Act. The CER will be responsible for approving the water charges plan which will set the approaches to charging domestic and non-domestic customers.

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. This includes the examination of issues arising for those with specific medical conditions, which require high water usage. The group comprises officials from my Department and from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Social Protection, Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance. A report will be submitted for consideration by Government based on the group’s examination of the issues involved and the Government will decide on the proposed approaches to be taken in relation to affordability, medical needs and the free allowance.

The Government has committed to the provision of a free allowance, above which charging based on usage would apply. There is no question of people who do not use their free allowance being fined.

The CER will announce its decision on the approved water charges plan in August 2014. In making its decision on the approval or otherwise of the first water charges plan, the CER will take into account the decisions made by Government on the funding model for Irish Water, including the funding available for a free allowance and any proposed affordability measures.