Update: Water Charges for Persons with Disabilities – Environment 17th September, 2014

To ask the Minister for the; Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects to be in a position to give an indication regarding the rate or level of water charges likely in respect of persons with disabilities or medical conditions; the extent to which basic or free allowance is likely to apply in these instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  

 
For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 17th September, 2014.  
 
Ref No   s   : 33745/14   ,       34113/14   ,   34286/14       and 34853/14  
 
 

 
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. A. Kelly)  
 
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1523,       1551,1570, & 1618       together.
 
With effect from 1   January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can 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 Energy Regulation (CER) and CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interest of customers.
 
The proposed approach to charging has been outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan which it has submitted to the CER   in line with the provisions of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.       The CER is responsible for approving the plan   , taking account of a Ministerial policy direction   issued to the CER in   July 2014, in   accordance with section 42 of the Water Services (No. 2   ) Act 2013   .    
 
The water charges plan submitted by Irish Water in line with the CER’s requirements, reflects both metered charges and unmetered or “assessed” charges which are to be a close as possible a proxy for metered usage under normal consumption circumstances.
The policy direction of July 2014 requires that special provision be made in the water charges plan for customers of Irish water who have specific medical conditions which require increased water consumption, involving capping of the charges at the relevant assessed charges.
 
The direction also indicates that the conditions to be covered will be set out following consultation with the Minister for Health. I hope to conclude the necessary consultation shortly and announce arrangements in advance of 1 October 2014.