Irish Water Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 March 2014

Wednesday, 5 March 2014

Questions (131)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

131. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way it is expected that local authorities take an estate in charge where the water infrastructure is now owned by Irish Water; if the transfer in ownership of water infrastructure to Irish Water has resulted in an unintended impediment to the taking in charge of estates; if so, if any specific guidelines or circulars are expected to be issued in respect of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11098/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

As stated in Circular Letter PL 21/13 issued by my Department to planning authorities on 30 December 2013 in the light of the transfer of certain statutory water services functions from local authorities to Irish Water with effect from 1 January 2014, legislative amendments to existing provisions on the taking in charge of housing estates will be made in 2014. As also advised in this circular letter, pending further legislation and guidelines in 2014, planning authorities should firstly consult with Irish Water on any proposal to take in charge water services infrastructure which would ultimately be transferred to Irish Water under section 12 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.