To ask the Minister for Regional Development when the current authorisation for grants to be paid to water and sewerage undertakers expires should clause one of the Water and Sewerage Services Bill (NIA 51/11-16) not pass.

My Department pays a subsidy to Northern Ireland Water in lieu of domestic charging for water and sewerage services under Article 213 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, as extended by the Water and Sewerage Services (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 and again, by the Water and Sewerages Services (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2013. Should the Water and Sewerage Services Bill not pass, my Department’s legislative authority to pay this subsidy will expire on 31 March 2016.