Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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588. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when refunds for water charges will be given; if there is a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29991/17]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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620. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when reimbursements of water charges will issue to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29830/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 588 and 620 together.

The report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services was published on 12 April 2017 and approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Committee recommended that in respect of the most cost efficient mechanism of adhering to the principle of equity of treatment for those who have paid and have not paid water charges, such households should be compensated in an equitable manner.

The Government approved the priority drafting of a Bill to give effect to the relevant recommendations set out in the Committee's report on 30 May 2017. My Department is working with the Attorney General's Office on the drafting of the Bill with a view to it being published as soon as possible.