Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. This matter relates to the ongoing deliberations on Irish Water, the privatisation of the water supply and the appointment of regional contractors. Will the Minister advise us of the names of these contractors? One can only assume this will be a matter of public record, given that public funds are involved and it is a public natural resource. Will there be clarification on the appointment of subcontractors also? My understanding from the information provided so far by the Department is that there is no obligation on the three regional contractors which have been appointed to hire subcontractors from an approved list from the Department. This is alarming because the subcontractors on the departmental list are in each geographical area. They applied to be included in the list and carried out work previously to get on it. If they can provide value for money, it is wrong that they would be excluded and other contractors could take their place.
Adjournment Matters
Water Meters Installation
I thank the Senator for raising this matter with which I am dealing on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The programme for Government and the memorandum of understanding with the European Union, the IMF and the European Central Bank, with which the Senator will be familiar, provide for the introduction of domestic water charges. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. International evidence has shown that where meters have been installed, significant reductions have been achieved in the level of consumption. This is also borne out by the water savings achieved with metering in the group water sector.
Irish Water will be responsible for the domestic water metering programme and the collection of water charges from households. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government estimates that approximately 1 million households could be metered initially. A pre-installation survey to provide further information on the scope of the metering programme is well under way. Regional management contractors are due to be appointed by Irish Water shortly, following a competitive public tendering process. The procurement process for the subcontractor panel was developed by the Department, in consultation with Bord Gáis Energy, to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, had an opportunity to compete for contracts. The tender criteria were developed to ensure subcontractors would have the capacity to carry out the scale of work involved to the necessary high standard. The approach taken for the subcontractor panel is consistent with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's guidelines for facilitating SME participation in public procurement.
The procurement process for the subcontractor panel has now closed and following assessment of the applications received, a total of 159 subcontractors have been included in the panel. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has provided the final panel for Irish Water. The list of the pre-qualified subcontractors will be provided by Irish Water for the regional management contractors. It is expected the successful regional management contractors will be utilising the resources of the pre-qualified subcontractors for the purposes of delivering the meter installation works. They may supplement this approach by applying their own resources or additional subcontractors.
The installation of meter boxes and domestic water meters will be rolled out nationally as quickly as possible. A social inclusion commitment will form part of the regional main contractor's contracts. It will include requirements that at least 10% of the people working on the metering programme be drawn from SMEs, 10% from the unemployment register and 5% be apprentices, graduates or school leavers.
The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of the Bord Gáis Energy group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water, a public body, not a private body, to undertake the metering programme. The Act also assigns to the Commission for Energy Regulation the power to advise the Government on the development of a regulatory framework for water services. Further legislation will be published later this year to provide for the transfer of water services functions from the 34 county and city councils to Irish Water.
Water Supply
The country has been deemed officially by Met Éireann to be in drought. In some ways, this is to be welcomed because we are entitled to a good few days of weather. After the past five years of rain during the summer, I do not want to rain on anyone’s parade, so to speak, and spoil the moment as I am enjoying the good weather myself.
The Internet, Twitter and Facebook seem to have gone into overload regarding the birth of a royal baby. In the context of what we have been discussing here for several days and what we are trying to achieve during the final days of the current sitting of the Seanad, it would be remiss of me not to wish the mother and baby well.
I have been preoccupied for some time, not just because of the latest spell of fine weather, by the failure of previous Governments to provide for strategic infrastructure in water provision. The Ahern Governments seemed to regale in the building of houses, with over 600,000 housing units built over ten years but nothing else besides. What we have been left with are concrete jungles and many housing estates without facilities, including for water provision. No one thought it through. It is the same with schools, with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, having to play catch-up in replacing prefab classrooms across the country.
This story is told time and again across urban centres. Water provision is like Cinderella. We have been left with Victorian water infrastructure, with water pipes leaking 40% of treated water, costing the taxpayer billions. It seems absurd that, in a country where up until this year it never seemed to stop raining, that we are now about to run out of water. I do not want to be part of a Government that allows the country to run out of water. In recent weeks the Government has been successful in attracting new investment from the Kerry Group, Pfizer and Intel which provides employment in the Leinster region way beyond Kildare where it is based.
These employees come from Laois, Offaly and Dublin and are glad of that employment. One of our strategic resources, assets and advantages is our clean, secure and sustainable supply of water. However, we are on a knife edge because the balance between supply and demand is very precarious and will deteriorate. Were it not for the recession, we would be at a more critical juncture.
I welcome the establishment of Irish Water and am perhaps one of the few politicians in the country who is willing to put his hand on his heart and welcome charging for water. I make no apologies for thinking it long overdue. However, it is wrong for the Government to emphasise and prioritise the water metering programme and charging for water without simultaneously ensuring we have a secure supply of water. I believe that can be achieved by the construction of the first reservoir in this country to be built in 70 years. It is a giant project between Dublin City Council and Bord na Móna that has been on the books for 12 years. They had the vision and foresight to pursue this at a time when it was not fashionable and when Bertie Ahern wanted to build the Bertie bowl. We should have been building and securing strategic infrastructure.
I welcome the establishment of Irish Water but I want to know how high on its priority list is the provision of the Garryhinch reservoir - a secure and safe water supply that we are in control of. If we are to aid commerce, industry, foreign direct investment, householders and the agricultural sector and meet our targets under Harvest 2020, we must have a secure supply of water. As we speak, ten local authorities are already rationing water. We have hosepipe bans, which are necessary because some people seem to think nothing of watering lawns with treated water. This is not acceptable and cannot continue but the answer to it is to build the Garryhinch reservoir in Portarlington which will ensure that this country has a secure supply of water for Leinster and the midlands. It is not a Dublin issue and I hope that Irish Water understands how serious the problem is. I hope the Minister of State has a positive answer for me this evening.
I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and his thoughtful remarks and analysis, as always. I am dealing with this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The availability of a long-term, reliable, high-quality and economic supply of drinking water is a key requirement for the future development of the Leinster and the greater Dublin area. The Dublin regional water supply area consists of all of Dublin city, Fingal, South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown along with parts of Wicklow, Kildare and Meath.
The Dublin water supply scheme long-term water source is listed as a scheme at planning stage in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's water services investment programme 2010-2013. Dublin City Council is the lead authority for this scheme on behalf of all of the water services authorities in the greater Dublin area. Studies carried out for the city council and a strategic environmental assessment have identified a preferred option which involves abstraction of raw water from Lough Derg and pumping the abstracted water through a new pipeline to a proposed storage reservoir at Garryhinch cut-away bog in County Offaly, forming part of a proposed midlands water-based eco-park. After treatment, water would then be conveyed to the west of Dublin where the new supply would be integrated with the existing storage and trunk distribution system. Dublin City Council has recently carried out a procurement process and I understand it will shortly be in a position to appoint a consultant to advance the further planning of this scheme.
The programme for project implementation has been developed based on the planning and statutory approval phase taking approximately two years. The detailed design and procurement phase should take a further two years, while the construction and commissioning phase should be completed in three years. Following their appointment by Dublin City Council, the consultants will undertake the environmental impact statement and other statutory requirements in preparation for a submission to An Bord Pleanála which will adjudicate on the matter.
Following the passage of comprehensive legislation later this year, Irish Water will assume responsibility for the delivery of investment in public water services infrastructure from 1 January 2014. The programme of investment for 2014 to 2015 is currently being prepared by Irish Water and the implementation strategy agreed by Government provides for the development of a detailed capital programme transition plan to ensure the smooth transition from the water service investment programme 2010-2013 to the Irish Water 2014-2015 plan. The objective of this plan, currently being developed with programme partners, is to ensure that there is no loss of momentum in capital delivery in respect of projects, be they at construction or in planning.
The Government recently approved the general scheme for the comprehensive legislation and it addresses planning and investment matters, including providing that Irish Water will prepare strategic investment plans addressing a 25-year period. The plans are aimed at addressing the provision of sufficient water services for domestic users as well as business and industry. In the course of preparing the plans, Irish Water will be required to consult with the economic and environmental regulators, the regional assemblies proposed under Putting People First and the local authorities. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will also be required to approve the plans.
Irish Water will also prepare water services capital investment plans for the purpose of submitting tariff proposals to the economic regulator. The capital investment plans will take account of the provisions set out in the water services strategic plan and will be aligned with the next cycle of river basin management plans required under the EU water framework directive. The plans will have regard to the river basin management plans, local development plans and resources available to the company from Government grants and its own resources. These mechanisms will ensure continued prioritisation of projects of strategic importance currently in planning in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's water services investment programme following the hand-over of the capital programme to Irish Water. The Dublin water supply scheme long term water source is one such scheme. The establishment of a single water utility should allow for a more streamlined approach to the planning and delivery of the capital programme, which should result in important strategic projects being accelerated.
Has the Senator a question?
I do. I welcome the Minister of State's answer. I think the problem is duly identified and there is a solution afoot. My concern relates to the answer in that the lead-in time is up to three years. Time is of the essence. Three Ministers are involved - the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government; and the Minister of State with responsibility for the NewERA project, who I know are all committed to ensuring this problem is addressed. However, it is important that we have a coherent strategy that identifies the urgency of this project and the fact that it needs to be addressed without any further delay.
I also pay due regard to the concerns of the Shannon valley and residents along the Shannon basin. Eighteen counties are involved. I would not for a second dismiss or in any fashion take lightly their environmental or ecological concerns. I would not support this project if I thought for one second that it would damage the environment or ecology of the Shannon basin. I reiterate that the Shannon is in flood for 80% of the year and that the proposal by Dublin City Council, Bord na Móna and now Irish Water is to abstract 2% to 4% of water from the Shannon when it is in flood. The water in question very often damages the land and causes serious problems throughout most of the year so I think it is a very viable project. It is in everyone's interest, not just the Dublin region but the midlands and beyond. This is a €500 million investment that will create 1,000 construction jobs and thereafter, we will have a resource and asset for the country in terms of strategic infrastructure and a recreational resource comparable to Rutland Water in east Anglia in the UK which will create 250 to 300 sustainable jobs. I wish to make the point that it would be putting the cart before the horse if we were to charge for and meter water before we provide for the provision of that water. I urge the Government and Ministers, including the Minister of State with us this evening, to back the message that they must expedite the construction of the Garryhinch reservoir because time is of the essence and because it would be an absolute absurdity to allow this country to run out of water. That is what we face unless we build a new reservoir.
I will certainly relay the Senator's additional remarks. I am sure the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will take due note, as the Senator has asked, of the additional points, including his reference to the necessity to expedite these projects as quickly as possible.
Domestic Violence Policy
Like many similar service providers, Women's Aid Dundalk has taken a substantial cut to its funding over the past two to three years. It has essentially been asked to do more with less, as has everyone else.
Women's Aid Dundalk provides a refuge for men, women and children who are fleeing domestic violence. The funding issue I wish to highlight relates to the moneys allocated by Louth County Council to the refuge for its operational and running costs. This money keeps the doors open and the lights on and it does not relate to salary or care needs. Unfortunately, Women's Aid Dundalk is in a precarious financial position and has been unable to agree an adequate service level agreement with the council. There have been numerous communications between the two but, unfortunately, on 9 July, the organisation was informed that, at best, it would face a 53% budget reduction. This figure is not even guaranteed, as it relies on three other service providers not using all of their allocation, which is incredibly unlikely. The 53% figure is the best case scenario.
Women's Aid Dundalk will not be able to continue to execute this incredibly vital service without the proper appropriations. The board members have identified that they would be able to manage a 33% reduction in operating costs but could not accommodate further cuts without closing their doors. They were informed there would be no way to accommodate this 33% reduction. We have continually asked everyone in every sector to "do more with less" but this is absurd. We cannot ask Women's Aid Dundalk to work with this extreme cut to its budget within a short year. The Council of Europe has reported that the Louth, Cavan and Monaghan region operates at 38% below the recommended level of refuge provision. We are behind Bosnia-Herzegovina in this respect.
The Dundalk branch of Women's Aid has been forced to turn away 160 people in need of crisis accommodation since the start of this year. I am worried that the closure of the refuge would result in further pressing demands on the other local service providers and more people remaining in domestic abuse situations because they have nowhere to go. In times of unemployment and economic uncertainty, the levels of physical, mental, sexual and emotional abuse increase, which is why it is ironic that the funding for services such as the Women's Aid refuge in Dundalk that provide an outlet for these victims is being reduced.
On 1 August, the current service level agreement with Louth County Council will discontinue and Women's Aid Dundalk will cease to be able to provide refuge services. We have 11 days to resolve this issue. Will we be proactive or will we allow this service to become another victim of the recession? I am also concerned for those currently using the service and what will happen to them on 1 August. Will the other overstretched services absorb the numbers currently availing of the refuge in Dundalk?
I ask that this service not be forced to close down for even a single day and that the level of funding be revised to reflect the 33% budget cut that has been indicated as manageable. This service is not asking to have its funding levels restored to that of previous years. The board members are asking that they be given sufficient funding to continue to operate their service to the best of their ability. The reduction of 33%, while not ideal, would result in the refuge keeping its doors open. The three other service providers will be unable to absorb the numbers if the refuge were to close.
Women's Aid Dundalk was thriving in every other area of its work before the issues with section 10. It was looking to expand to a larger building and increase its accommodation levels. This has had to be shelved. The proposed cut to operational funding is the only reason that this refuge provider will close. Until we move towards a revised policy and an amendment to legislation, we will continue to need the current level and then some of refuge service. Unfortunately, there will always be a section of society that needs refuge services. On our part, in the future we need to determine a way in which to separately categorise domestic violence homelessness from homelessness arising from other issues. As I was told by a representative from Women's Aid Dundalk earlier: "Moving from refuge should be a process not an event." I have comprehensively outlined the need for Women's Aid Dundalk refuge to have a presence in my community because, without it, where do the men, women and children go?
I thank the Senator for the comprehensive treatment she has given to this important matter. Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence are serious health, social and human rights issues that affect people across society from all walks of life and all cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds and across all age groups. The majority of victims are women but a significant number of men are affected and abuse also occurs in same sex relationships. With a view to tackling these serious issues, the Department of Justice and Equality established Cosc, as an executive office of that Department. Cosc's key task is to ensure the delivery of a well-co-ordinated, whole-of-government response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence against women, men and older people in the community. In March 2010 the Government launched a national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, a four-year strategy to provide a framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Responsibility for the implementation of this strategy lies with Cosc.
The HSE published its own complementary policy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which is in line with the national strategy. The HSE policy focuses on eight key high level goals and actions, including standardisation of service provision across the country, training for all HSE staff and voluntary-community sector providers and a strong focus on hearing the voice of service users in all aspects of service planning, design, development, delivery and evaluation. The HSE allocated more than €18.2 million in 2013 to domestic violence services, which is a 2.5% reduction compared to 2012 due to the overall HSE budget deficit. As with all domestic violence services, this 2.5% cut was also applied to Women's Aid Dundalk, the allocation to which is €425,000 in 2013. This allocation goes towards funding of support staff working in refuges for the victims of domestic violence as well as those involved in associated support services.
Non-pay current funding is allocated through the local authorities. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government recoups current funding to local housing authorities under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 for accommodation and related services for homeless persons, which can include victims of domestic violence. A significant portion of the funding provided annually is in respect of domestic violence refuges. Some €2.5 million was provided in 2012 under section 10 towards the costs of domestic violence-related facilities and initiatives nationwide. In addition to refuges, victims of domestic violence may also use other mainstream homeless accommodation solutions that are funded by the Department, for example, hostels, bed and breakfast and transitional accommodation.
The national implementation plan for the homeless strategy provided for the development of a more devolved allocation-based system for the provision of accommodation-related current funding to housing authorities with emphasis on increased decision making at local level. Under these arrangements, responsibility for decision-making on the funding of particular services within available allocations rests with the statutory homeless management group. In this instance, it is the north-east regional homeless management group led by Louth County Council. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has no function, nor is it involved in, decisions on operational matters.
I appreciate the Minister of State's reply but a more direct question must be put regarding the Women's Aid refuge in Dundalk, which services County Louth and surrounding counties. I would be grateful if he could relay this back to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and if he could find out more information about the cut to the funding and whether it has been replicated throughout the country, which I do not believe it has. This will not alleviate the problem of providing refuge for victims of violence and it is important that we do not lose this valuable service.
I will relay the Senator's additional comments and I thank her again for raising this important issue. There was a good debate in the House on the broader question some time ago. The Senator raised a specific issue relating to Dundalk. I have given a response as best I can but if she wishes to obtain additional details, I will assist her in that regard.