Written answers

Thursday, 23 October 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Water Charges Administration

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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179. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on an article (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40822/14]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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In January 2013, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) was commissioned by my Department to undertake a study into water affordability and the provision of water services in Ireland. Subsequently, an Inter-Departmental Working Group was established in October 2013 to advise the Government on the appropriate method for addressing affordability issues which might arise with the introduction of domestic water charges. The Group considered the ESRI study as part of their examination of the issues. The report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group, which includes the study carried out by the ESRI, has been published on my Department’s website and is available at the following link:

The CER has now issued a determination on the water charges plan submitted to it by Irish Water. Full details and associated documentation are available on the CER website at

In making its determination on the water charges plan, the CER had to take account of the decisions made by the Government on the funding model for Irish Water and of the policy direction made under Section 42 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act in July 2014. This policy direction addressed a number of matters relating to domestic water charges including the provision of a free allowance of 30,000 litres of water supplied and waste water treated per annum for a primary residence on a public supply and a free allowance to cover the normal usage of water services by every child in their primary residence based on the same qualifying conditions as the child benefit allowance while customers with specific medical conditions which require increased water consumption will have their charges capped. In making its decisions, the Government took account of the work of the Inter-Departmental Working Group.

In its determination, the CER has decided that all customers will have their total water charges capped at the unmetered “assessed charge” for 9 months. The cap will apply from the start date of the next billing period after installation of the meter or 1 October 2014, whichever is the later.

In addition to the above, the Government is putting in place further affordability measures to assist pensioners, people with disabilities and carers who are in receipt of the Household Benefits Package and this support has been further extended in Budget 2015 to cover all Fuel Allowance recipients who do not already receive the household benefits package. These measures are being implemented by the Department of Social Protection. Income tax relief will also be available at the standard rate in respect of a maximum level of water charges of €500 per household.

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