Water Meters

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Questions (21, 25, 40)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

21. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any impediment contained within legislation governing the establishment and operation of Irish Water to the taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities; if he will confirm that the permission of Irish Water has been required since 1 January 2014 in order for an estate to be taken in charge; the way it is proposed to manage this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11897/14]

Robert Troy

Question:

25. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to councils being delayed from taking estates in charge because Irish Water is not signing off on installing water metering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11886/14]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

40. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate, in respect of existing cases where local authorities currently manage the critical water infrastructure of an unfinished estate that has not been taken in charge but who do so to ensure basic water and sanitation provision, if there has been an impediment to this arrangement since Irish Water took control of all water assets on 1 January 2014; if he will outline the way this may be overcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11895/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 25 and 40 together.

My attention has not been drawn to any issue with regard to delays in taking in charge due to the water metering programme. 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 housing estates where the water services infrastructure would ultimately be transferred to Irish Water under section 12 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. Unfinished housing estates which may have defective infrastructure which is not performing and where possible health threats arise are currently considered on a case by case basis.