Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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889. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government regarding Irish Water charges, if there are any allowances to be made for small farmers who are nearly solely dependent on farm assist for their weekly income in relation to the rates that will be imposed on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49632/14]

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 shall collect charges from its customers 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.

Following a review of the overarching water charges policy framework, the Government has made further decisions to ensure that water charges are affordable for customers. On 19 November 2014, I announced a package of measures to ensure that a simpler, fairer, more certain and more affordable charging regime is in p lace for Irish Water customers. Details of these measures are avail able on my Department's website at: .

The Water Services Act 2014 which was enacted on 28 December 2014 has given effect to these measures.

Currently, any farm connected to a public water supply is liable for charges as a non-domestic customer, with an allowance provided for domestic use. From 1 January 2015, following the introduction of domestic water charges, farms connected to public water supplies will be charged by Irish Water for both non-domestic and domestic use. Domestic charges will be subject to the maximum charges set for households and free allowances to be provided to children under 18. There are no additional allowances available other than those announced.

It should be noted that the existing arrangements for all non-domestic customers are remaining in place with no changes for the time being. On this basis, the local authorities will continue to bill for non-domestic water services as agents of Irish Water. The CER will be reviewing all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs under a series of public consultations and will publish the time-line for this process in the next few months.