Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2024
293. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 400 of 30 November 2023, if a water and-or wastewater caretaker employed by Uisce Éireann is entitled to become a member of a local authority. [4911/24]
View answer294. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Circular LG(P) 06/09 "Local Government Act 2001 (Section 161) Order 2004", S.I. No. 216 of 2004 or Circular 09/2009 "Civil Servants and Political Activity" applies to a water and-or wastewater caretaker employed by Uisce Éireann. [4912/24]
View answer295. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a water/wastewater caretaker employed by Uisce Éireann is considered a civil servant in the craft or State industrial and manual grade employee; and if so, which grades in Uisce Éireann are considered below that of a civil service clerical officer. [4913/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 293, 294 and 295 together.
Uisce Éireann was established as a company under Part 2 of the Water Services Act, (No. 6 of 2013) as a subsidiary of Ervia. The subsequent Water Services (Amendment) Act, (No. 39 of 2022) separated Uisce Éireann from Ervia and established it as the standalone national authority for water services. Uisce Éireann workers are not considered civil servants as defined in the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956, this includes water/wastewater caretakers.
Water/wastewater caretakers employed by Uisce Éireann are not considered civil servants, therefore they are not subject to the provisions of Circular LG(P) 06/09. Should an Uisce Éireann employed caretaker wish to engage in political activity, this is an internal matter for Uisce Éireann to address.
