Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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210. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a free phone number to facilitate the Conservation Grant in relation to Irish Water; her views that many elderly persons who are not familiar with online activity should be catered for, as there is confusion over how to obtain this Grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25097/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Water Conservation Grant has been introduced to support households in conserving water in the home. It is being administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. In order to be eligible to apply for the grant a person must have registered his/her principal, private residence with Irish Water on or before the 30th June 2015. This Department will write to registered persons in late August or September advising them how to apply for the grant.

The application process is an on-line one and will available from late August 2015. People who do not have internet access or who require assistance in making their application may phone the Water Conservation Support Team who can either assist with the application or complete the application on behalf of the customer.

There will be two phone numbers for the Water Conservation Support Team – a 0761 number that is charged at the same rate as a national landline numbers from landlines and mobile phones, and a LoCall number. The 0761 number is being offered to ensure that the call is treated the same as any normal landline number for charging purposes by telecoms providers. LoCall numbers have been in operation across the Department’s scheme areas for many years and are used with Interactive Voice Response technology to facilitate customers making contact with the appropriate section of the Department, at a low cost to the caller.