Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 January 2014
144. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that contractors appointed to install water meters in homes are being paid per meter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4747/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. 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. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme. The current water meter installation programme commenced in August 2013 and the approved budget for the programme is €539 million (excluding VAT) which includes the supply of materials and the installation work by contractors operating in eight regions.
Regional main contractors were appointed by Irish Water following a public tendering process. These contractors have responsibility for appointing sub-contractors who are responsible for recruiting suitably qualified staff to carry out the work. As part of their contract, details of the panel of subcontractors formed by my Department were provided to the regional main contractors. The contractors may employ from that list, but are under no obligation to do so. The employment of subcontractors is a matter for each regional contractor. The management of the procurement process, including the payment structure to contractors, is a matter for Irish Water.
