Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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229. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water will not charge any householders connected to the mid-Kerry water supply which is continually cut off due to breakages in the pipe network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38519/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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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 each customer 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 CER published its final decision on Irish Water’s water charges plan on 30 September 2014 . This decision does not include any discounts or rebates as a result of a temporary loss of water supply.

Irish Water’s Capital Investment Plan 2014-2016, which the CER also approved on 30th September, includes a number of capital projects for the mid-Kerry region that will address the issues of the breakages in this pipe network.

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