Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
498. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will direct or request Irish Water to develop a strategy for the speedy and effective handling of questions from elected representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31345/14]
View answer499. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will direct or request Irish Water to answer a question which it has failed, refused or neglected to do for half a year on whether it plans to maintain the current level of Lough Derg as part of its water abstraction plan for Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31346/14]
View answer500. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will direct or request Irish Water to answer a question which it has failed, refused or neglected to do for half a year on whether it will participate in the percent for art scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31347/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 498 to 500, inclusive, together.
Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services including the provision of water services infrastructure.
My Department asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with Oireachtas members to outline the arrangements for addressing such queries in a timely manner.
Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
I understand that in the four months from the inception of the service, the support desk in Irish Water has received and responded to some 2,100 telephone calls, e-mails and letters from public representatives. The Oireachtas Members email service alone has received and responded to over 400 e-mails.
