Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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684. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if good advice-education and grant schemes will be provided to help families install water conserving features in their houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13401/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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nister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. P. Hogan) From 1 January 2014 Irish Water assumed responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure, including water conservation measures. Irish Water is committed to installing 1.05 million domestic meters across Ireland between now and 2016. International experience shows that water meters can reduce consumption by between 10 - 15 %. Understanding how much water you consume is an important step in conservation.  As part of the metering programme, my Department is currently working on proposals regarding customer-side leakage but the detailed arrangements are not yet finalised.

I understand that Irish Water has placed information on water conservation for householders on its website () and is also supporting the An Taisce Green Schools programme, which is providing water conservation education to schools throughout Ireland. My Department has asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with Oireachtas members to outline the arrangements for addressing such queries in a timely manner.