Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Health the discussions his Department has had with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to water charges and persons with mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36534/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The water charges plan submitted by Irish Water, in line with the Commission for Energy Regulation’s (CER) requirements, reflects both metered charges and unmetered or “assessed” charges which are to be as close as possible a proxy for metered usage under normal consumption circumstances. The policy direction issued to the CER requires that special provision be made in the water charges plan for customers of Irish Water who have specific medical conditions, including mental health issues, which require increased water consumption, involving capping of charges at the relevant assessed charges.

The policy also indicates that the conditions to be covered will be set out following consultations between the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Health.  It is hoped to conclude the necessary consultations shortly.