Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
985. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the efficiency of the specific Members' helpline provided by Irish Water (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41016/14]
View answerWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. At the request of m y Department , Irish Water 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.
Irish Water has acknowledged that the level of service it has provided to public representatives needs to be improved and has apologised for any shortcomings that have arisen to date in terms of the timeliners and quality of responses.
Irish Water has also informed my Department that so far it has received just over 5,000 queries from public representatives:
- 2,400 from Oireachtas Members – 1,700 via oireachtasmembers@water.ie.
and 700 by phone.
- A further 2,600 queries have been received from Local Councillors by email and phone.
Irish Water is contacting all Oireachtas members to provide details of the improved service which it is aiming to provide, including a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578. A separate contact telephone line is also being provided for local councillors.
