To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the consequences on the budget of any decision to defer water charges for another year; and any implications for services delivery across departments.

The Executive faces tough choices with regard to the way forward on the funding of local water and sewerage services. These decisions are made more difficult by the harsher economic climate faced by the people of Northern Ireland following the increases in the general cost of living experienced over the past year. To ease this burden, the Executive is giving serious consideration to the deferment of water charges until 2010.

Whatever final decision is made, the Executive will seek to minimise the impact on the provision of services to the people of Northern Ireland.

The full details are still to be considered by the Executive and the implications for Departments will be known once the Executive makes its decisions.