Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions his Department was involved with in respect of the €100 water conservation grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47804/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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To promote sustainable use of water and to enhance water conservation in households, the Department of Social Protection will administer, on behalf of my Department, a €100 water conservation grant for households (principal private dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process.

While Irish Water, as part of the transition phase, will have a ‘first fix free’ scheme to fix customer leaks, it is recognised that some leakage may be internal to the house. The €100 annual water conservation grant can be used in this regard to address issues such as leaking cisterns, dripping taps etc. Equally, households can use the grant towards other conservation measures such as the costs of water butts or installing dual flush toilets or rain water systems, de-sludging septic tanks or maintaining wells to ensure operating efficiency.

The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced, as it is a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will reduce households’ outlay on water services both now and in the future.

The Department of Social Protection will administer the grant on behalf of my Department. There are on-going discussions with that Department and Irish Water to address the technical administrative issues and the necessary communications with households regarding the grant.