Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding for water leaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15570/14]

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 provide for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assign ed the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake this metering programme.

As part of the metering programme, my Department, in conjunction with Irish Water, is currently working on a proposal regarding customer-side leakage, the implementation arrangements for which will have to be worked out with Irish Water.