Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
434. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the projected costs for the establishment of Irish Water; if he will use the borrowing provisions of the Water Services Act 2013 to repay the full establishment costs of Irish Water into the local government fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48967/13]
View answer435. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the annual costs of water provision, in addition to the establishment costs of Irish Water, are to be paid out of the local government fund in 2014 and if this represents a double payment for water services by local authorities and local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48968/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.
The Water Services Act 2013 which provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bórd Gáis Éireann, to be formed and registered under the Companies Act, also provides for the normal governance arrangements for a commercial State body in relation to its financial sustainability. Bord Gáis has put in place appropriate programme management arrangements to establish Irish Water, prepare for the transfer of assets, liabilities and functions from local authorities from 1 January 2014, provide for customer service and billing and implement the domestic water metering programme. Expenditure on this programme is a matter for Bord Gáis/Irish Water. The costs are not being funded from either the Exchequer or the Local Government Fund. In relation to other costs arising for Irish Water in 2014 I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 111 and 113 on 14 November 2013.
