Written answers

Monday, 11 September 2017

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Water Charges Administration

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1977. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to equalise the position of persons connected to rural water schemes with regard to the cost of domestic water, in view of the fact that domestic water provided by Irish Water is now free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37327/17]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services reported in April 2017 and its Report was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Committee recommended that the principles of equity of treatment and equivalent financial support should be applied equally between households on public water supplies and those in Group Schemes and those using individual water and waste water systems. I will shortly bring forward legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee and my Department will commence a review involving the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and other relevant stakeholders to advance the recommendation of the Committee in relation to the quantification of investment required to equalise treatment between those availing of domestic water services from Irish Water and those availing of private services..

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1978. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the multiple standing charges of water meters for business customers that require multiple connections for their business; if a single charge can be agreed and not treated as if each individual meter is a different customer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37328/17]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Metering is a matter for the utility and one in which I have no function.

Any business connected to a public water supply is liable for charges as a non-domestic customer. It should be noted that the arrangements in place for all non-domestic customers on 1 January 2014 remain in place with no changes for the time being.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is progressing a review of all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs and in conjunction with Irish Water will establish an enduring non-domestic tariff framework. The CER has published an information note informing customers and interested parties about the project and will shortly engage in a period of public consultation on the enduring tariff framework for non-domestic water and/or wastewater customers of Irish Water.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.

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