I propose to take Questions Nos. 264, 265 and 267 together.
The 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 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. The management of the procurement process, including the payment structure to contractors, is a matter for Irish Water. There are four regional contractors appointed to the programme covering the eight regions nationwide. All of the contracts were awarded in full compliance with public procurement rules. The hiring of subcontractors is undertaken by the regional contractors in accordance with the pay and employment conditions of the contracts set out by Irish Water. Irish Water carries out compliance checks on the contractors to ensure that they are meeting all terms. The contracts stipulate that contractor vehicles must be in a clean and damage-free state, be coloured white with high visibility rear chevron markings and co-branded with the Irish Water logo. This is to ensure that contractors are easily identifiable to the public for security and safety reasons. This stipulation was clearly stated in the tender documents. The contracts do not state that these vans need to be new.
The contractors are responsible for the disposal of any existing material on site that cannot be reused. This disposal must occur in accordance with their waste management plans as submitted to Irish Water and the contractors must obtain the relevant waste collection permits and waste facility permits. The contractor’s HSQE (Health, Safety, Quality and Environment) audit team inspect each crew on a weekly basis, and part of this audit includes verifying that waste legislation is complied with.
