Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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462. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the first fix water pipe leak initiative (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32090/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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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 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake this metering programme.

Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it was always anticipated that in the course of installing meters, pre-existing leaks and other latent defects due to the age or condition of the water pipes would be discovered. It is not accurate to assume that these leaks are caused by Irish Water’s contractors. The meter installation programme gives Irish Water a strong starting point for mains rehabilitation by enabling the discovery of pre-existing leaks and helping to target more effective investment in leak repair.

The Government has agreed to provide additional funding to Irish Water for their capital investment, to include a free first fix scheme. Irish Water has submitted its water charges plan, including its proposed capital investment plan, to the Commission for Energy regulation. Irish Water will announce details of the proposed first fix scheme in the light of the Commission’s consideration of its water charges plan.