‘No domestic water charges as subsidies to NI Water are protected’ – Hazzard
Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has ensured that NI Water will continue to receive funding to deliver vital public services without the need to introduce domestic water charges.
The Minister brought forward the draft Grants to Water and Sewerage Undertakers Order 2017 to the Assembly.
Minister Hazzard said, “My Department pays NI Water a subsidy in lieu of domestic charging to enable it to maintain drinking water supplies and deliver sewerage services.
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“Without funding, NI Water would quickly run out of money and these services, which are fundamental to public health, economic growth and environmental protection, would be put at risk.
“The current powers to pay the subsidy will expire on 31st March 2017 and the recent 2016 Water and Sewerage Services Act, passed by the Assembly in January last year, provided the power to extend this date by an Order laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.
The Minister added, “I am committed to ensuring that water charging for domestic households is not introduced. This view is shared by my Ministerial Colleagues. I am pleased to say that the Order introduced today will help us to deliver on that commitment.”
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