361 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider exempting church halls and community centres with charitable status from the payment of water rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2476/11]

The Government's Water Pricing Policy requires local authorities to recover the cost of providing water services from all non-domestic users of these services. The policy provides for full cost recovery without profit, with charges based on actual metered consumption. In view of the Government's plans to introduce domestic water charges, there are no plans to introduce any exemptions for any category of non-domestic users.