Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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476. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if persons who suffer from ill health such as from cystic fibrosis or other long-term illnesses are entitled to a fixed appropriate allowance in terms of the water they consume before having to pay for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3191/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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A new water charging regime of annual capped charges was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The charges structure was revised with a view to making it simpler and fairer, providing more clarity and certainty to households. 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. Section 3(5) of the Water Services Act 2014 allows for a capped charge to also be set for 2019 onwards. In addition, a water conservation grant of €100 per year is available to qualifying 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, and 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.