Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil T.D. Brendan Smith has again called on the Government to implement measures to ensure equitable treatment of householders on group water schemes and householders on public water supplies.
Deputy Brendan Smith raised this issue again through Parliamentary Questions in Dáil Éireann with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government in view of the forthcoming Water Services Bill which deals with the whole area of water charges.
“We have a very strong network of successful group water schemes throughout Cavan/Monaghan and in Government the Fianna Fáil Party ensured a massive investment in upgrading existing schemes and indeed constructing new schemes. This work was a great partnership between Government, local authorities and local communities and I was very glad to support that work. The role of these group water schemes must continue to be supported through direct Government subvention.
The schemes are extremely important for rural communities and in many instances are also the source of water supply for villages and small towns. The Water Services Bill must not disadvantage the people participating on these schemes and the future working of such schemes.
The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government in his reply in Dáil Éireann to Deputy Brendan Smith’s Parliamentary Question stated –
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.
The Water Services Bill 2017 was published recently and the provisions in the Bill give effect to the recommendations of the Committee. My Department will shortly 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”, concluded Minister Murphy in his reply to Deputy Brendan Smith.
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For Written Answer on : 03/10/2017
Question Number(s): 615 Question Reference(s): 41619/17
Department: Housing, Planning and Local Government
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Housing; Planning and Local Government the measures he plans to implement to ensure equitable treatment of householders on group water schemes and householders on public water supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
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.
The Water Services Bill 2017 was published recently and the provisions in the Bill give effect to the recommendations of the Committee. My Department will shortly 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.