Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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188. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the first fix scheme in respect of leaking pipes on private homeowners' property; when this scheme comes into effect; if he will clarify what the homeowners with leaking pipes will do in the meantime; if these homeowners will be reimbursed for work that needs to be carried out as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36057/14]

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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189. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when Irish Water will have completed the first free fix to customers' homes; if he will confirm that this will be completed before customer metering begins; the provisions that are in place in cases where there is a leakage that has not been fixed yet metering is under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36085/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services.The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides thatresponsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and that the water charges plan prepared by Irish Water is subject to the approval of the CER.

Under the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for repair and maintenance of the internal water distribution system from the main stopcock to the house and within the house rests with the homeowner. However, 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 CER .As part of the plan, Irish Water has suggested that customers are capped at the relevant unmetered charge for an initial period after their water meter is installed. This will ensure that those with meters installed, and an identified leak external to the dwelling, will not be penalised pending the carrying out of the first fix.The CER has recently completed a public consultation and is currently reviewing submissions received on their consultation documents.The CER will make their determination on the water charges plan later this monthand details of the approved plan will be announced shortly.

In the past week, Irish Water has submitted a draft first fix policy to the CER for approval. It is understood that the CER intend to hold a public consultation in advance of a decision and implementation of this scheme in January 2015.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to or by telephone on 1890 278 278.