Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
271. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has raised with Irish Water the frequency with which some businesses experience water outages as in the case of a business (details supplied); his views on such outages; if the rates businesses pay go towards maintaining infrastructure for the water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41217/20]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels in accordance with Section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. The day-to-day operation of the public water system, including the arrangements for dealing with unforeseen outages, is therefore a matter for Irish Water and I have no function in relation to this matter. It may be of assistance to note that Irish Water has established 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 dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
In relation to the matter of payments by businesses towards maintaining water services infrastructure, the position is that non-domestic customers of Irish Water are charged directly by Irish Water for the water and waste water services provided to them in line with the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2017. The charges and charging arrangements which apply are determined by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, who is responsible under the Water Services Acts for the independent economic regulation of Irish Water, and such charges take account of the cost of providing water services together with the costs involved in maintenance and development of water services networks.
