Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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285. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the preparations for the administration of the water conservation grant; and if she will confirm if or which functions will be outsourced. [15745/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A Water Conservation Grant of €100 will be paid beginning in September 2015 to households that have registered with Irish Water by 30th June 2015. The Grant will be administered and paid by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Grant will be paid to the occupier who registers with Irish Water in respect of a principal, private residence. Applications for the grant will be accepted from the end of August until early October.

The Department is in ongoing consultation with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to the staffing and funding needed to administer the scheme. The administration and payment of this grant is a significant project for the Department as it will require the development and implementation of IT systems and various customer support and communications services. Some external assistance will be needed with these elements of the project and the requisite procurement exercises for same are underway. Every effort is being made to maximise efficiencies in this regard.

A website providing information for the public has been launched at .