Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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547. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to exempt pensioners from the water charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42530/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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A revised water charging regime was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The capped annual charge is €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households until the end of 2018. All households now know what their capped bills will be until the end of 2018, which is particularly important for larger households or those with high usage due to medical needs.

In addition, a water conservation grant of €100 per year is available to qualifying households. The Department of Social Protection is administering the grant on behalf of my Department, which is available to households (principal private dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process.

The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced and 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 charges structure was revised with a view to making it simpler and fairer, providing more clarity and certainty to households. The overall cost for those who register with Irish Water, net of the €100 water conservation grant, 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.

When it comes to payment, a range of easy pay options are in place, including direct debits, 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. Irish Water also intends participating in the Household Budget scheme.  This facility, operated by An Post on behalf of the Department of Social Protection, provides customers with a facility to have their household utility bills and social housing rents deducted directly from their weekly social welfare payment.