Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if homeowners will be able to monitor their household's water usage following the installation of water meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21325/12]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if water meters will be covered by warranty following their installation; the length of time this warranty will be valid; the way repair and maintenance costs will be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21326/12]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is envisaged that water meters will be installed above or below ground; the steps that will be taken to ensure meters are neither a safety risk or physically obtrusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21327/12]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when recruitment will commence for the installation of water meters with an Bord Uisce. [21335/12]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 463: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households in the State that may face a flat rate bill for water usage when the new charge regime is introduced in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21477/12]

Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if households with private wells will be subject to water charges for registration, inspections or other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21508/12]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 488: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify who will install water meters if his proposed plans proceed; the qualification that will be necessary and the way citizens will be able to achieve this qualification. [21881/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 441, 444 to 447, inclusive, 463, 468 and 488 together.

The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Government has decided that Irish Water, a new State-owned water company to be established as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group, will be responsible for the metering programme. In common with meters for other utility services, the meters will be the property of Irish Water which will also be responsible for repair and maintenance of the meters.

It is intended that the installation of water meters in households connected to public water supplies will commence later this year and that installation contracts will be awarded by Irish Water to private contractors. The nature of the work will involve minor excavation and reinstatement works and will provide much needed employment in the construction sector. The types of jobs involved could include general operatives, plumbers, fitters, supervisors, contract managers and accounts and administration staff. The recruitment of staff to carry out installation works and ensuring that they have the skills to carry out the necessary works will be the responsibility of the private contractors. The procurement strategy for the metering programme will be finalised with Irish Water and no contracts have yet been awarded. Tender processes will be managed in accordance with national and EU procurement rules. The technology used will be a matter for public procurement by Irish Water and technology will be a specific criterion for the procurement of the meters.

In keeping with international practice regarding water metering, the meters will be installed at the boundary of the property, most typically in the footpath at the front of a house. All necessary health and safety measures will be considered in the installation phase. As is the case with other utility services which are supplied on a metered basis, households will be able to access their water meter and therefore will be in a position to monitor their water usage. They will also be able to query such meter reads with a dedicated customer service centre and customers will receive bills several times a year, as is the case with other utility services.

It is not possible to indicate the number of households that may be subject to an assessed charge at the time water charges will commence as this will depend on progress with the metering programme and the date on which charges are introduced. The approach to be taken for the setting of charges will be determined as part of the regulatory process.