Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2014
122. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated annual operational costs of the Irish Water company in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40950/14]
View answerThe establishment of Irish Water is an integral component of the Government’s water sector reform strategy and involves major organisational change. The establishment of a high performance utility will lead to lower costs and improved services in the future, providing much better outcomes for customers and the environment. Details of Irish Water’s costs are outlined in their revenue and water charges plan which was reviewed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Details of the review and the CER’s decision are available at: http://www.cer.ie/docs/000979/CER14454%20WCP%20Revenue%20Response%20&%20Decision%20Paper.pdf.
The CER imposed an annual efficiency challenge of 7% on Irish Water’s costs as submitted and following the Government announcement of 19 November, an adjustment to operational costs will be made to reflect the proposal that water services infrastructure will be exempt from commercial rates. A note on the financing of Irish Water in 2015 and 2016, reflecting this position, has been published on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,39557,en.pdf.
Irish Water has published its Capital Investment Plan 2014-2016 and this is available online at: http://www.water.ie/news/proposed-capital-investme/Proposed-Capital-Investment-Plan-2014-2016.pdf.
The plan identifies where Irish Water considers investment in infrastructure is necessary for the effective performance of its functions, including compliance with Water Framework Directive requirements, improving sewage treatment and collection infrastructure in accordance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, responding to judgments of the European Court of Justice and achieving environmental and public health objectives arising from various regulations and EPA reports dealing with water quality.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
