Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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278. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the increased cost facing customers with multiple water connections and particularly farmers as a result of the introduction of standing charges for separate connections; if funding schemes are being put in place to help alleviate increased costs for the same service; if allowances are being considered in view of the increased cost by cubic litre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57137/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. Under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 Irish Water is required to collect charges, where relevant, from its customers in accordance with a water charges plan, detailing tariffs and charging arrangements, as approved by the Commission.

Questions or concerns relating to charging arrangements for customers are a matter in the first instance for Irish Water. Any concerns which cannot be resolved by Irish Water to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred under the formal complaints process to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities whose decision on the matter is binding on Irish Water. The Minister has been given no role under the Water Services Acts in relation to the matter.

It may also be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.