Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2023
90. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 564 of 18 January 2023, if he will consider making extra funding available to compensate those affected by the ongoing boil water notice on the Whitegate Public Water Supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7579/23]
View answerThe Uisce Éireann Water Charges Plan and Customer Charter sets out a compensation mechanism when water quality is compromised and unfit for human consumption such as when Boil Water and Drinking Water Restriction Notices apply. Business customers who pay charges are entitled to a rebate under the Customer Handbook as agreed with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. Adjustments are made via the customers’ bills. This only applies to water used for drinking.
Implementation of the Water Charges Plan is a matter in the first instance for Uisce Éireann. Any issues, which cannot be resolved by Uisce Éireann to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred under the formal complaints process to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
It is worth noting that Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Cork County Council, submitted an application for planning permission in late 2022 for a new state-of-the-art water treatment facility that will serve approximately 10,000 people in this area of East Cork.
Uisce Éireann 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.
