Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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205. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if persons who receive estimated bills from Irish Water will have their moneys taken directly from their pay, pension or social welfare payment should their bill go unpaid. [18971/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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In November 2014 I announced a package of measures to ensure that domestic water charges are certain, affordable and clear.

If a customer does not pay their water charges, late payment provisions shall automatically apply, unless the customer enters into a payment plan. In the case of a One Adult Household (capped at €160), €30 will be added to any bill where outstanding payments equate to the total annual payment and remain unpaid for 3 months or more. An additional €30 will be added on every anniversary of the original add on date while the bill remains unpaid or a payment plan has not been entered into with Irish Water. In the case of a Two Adult Household (capped at €260), €60 will be added and again at each anniversary.

The late payment charges will only apply where someone is in arrears for more than 12 months and has not entered into a payment plan with Irish Water. Payment plans will be developed based on an ability to pay and it is important to note that the late payment charges are focused on those who “will not pay”, rather than those who cannot pay.

A range of flexible payment options will be available. Irish Water will facilitate bill payment through direct debit, electronic funds transfer, payment by cash at any retail outlet with a Paypoint or Payzone sign, or a post office where a bill can be paid in full or part payments of a minimum of €5 can be made. The overall net cost for those who register is either €1.15 a week for single adult households or €3 a week for all others. Water supply will not be reduced under any circumstance.

Any customers who have unpaid water charges can be pursued through the Courts by Irish Water for the sums due and a debt judgment may be obtained against the customer.  As announced recently, the Government intends to bring forward legislation to implement a number of recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in relation to the enforcement of debt. Accordingly, my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality will be bringing forward a Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill which will allow creditors to apply to the Court for an order enabling either attachment of earnings or deduction form social welfare payments, as appropriate for the purposes of enforcing debt.

I will be bringing forward measures to strengthen the regulatory regime around the payment of charges through measures not involving court proceedings. Fu ll details will be available on publication of the legislati ve provisions.