Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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120. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding water meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16980/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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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. 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 my Department and the Departments of the Taoiseach, Social Protection, Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance. The Government will decide on the proposed approaches to be taken in relation to affordability, medical needs and the free allowance , taking account of the work of this group.

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.