Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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681. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an initial free water allowance for agricultural holdings that are subject to the water charging regime will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7307/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Farming households using a public water supply, like other domestic users, do not pay domestic water charges, save for excessive use as provided for in the Water Services Act 2017. The Act provides for the discontinuance of water charges for domestic customers and a threshold of free water supply for domestic households.

In respect of non-domestic water use, the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, as amended, provides that Irish Water shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and the CRU has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers. With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. All non-domestic customers were transferred to Irish Water under the existing charging regime of each local authority with no changes, as instructed by the CRU.

From 2001, national water pricing policy required local authorities to recover the costs of providing water services from all non-domestic users of these services. This policy provided for charges based on actual metered consumption and is consistent with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. The existing arrangements for all non-domestic customers are remaining in place with no changes for the time being.

I understand that the CRU is conducting a review of all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs and in conjunction with Irish Water will establish an enduring non-domestic tariff framework. Information Notes are published by the CRU from time to time to inform and update stakeholders on the broad approach being pursued and setting out the proposed timeframe for the overall project and outlining details of papers to be published by the CRU for public consultation and corresponding timelines.