Brendan Griffin
Ceist:453 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the new water board will take over the local authority group water schemes. [31947/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 July 2012
Ceisteanna (440)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations of an independent assessment, to establish a public water utility company, Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. Following further consideration as to whether Irish Water should be established as a new entity or whether existing bodies in the Semi State sector could undertake the function, the Government decided that Irish Water should be established as an independent state owned company within the Bord Gáis Group.
As group water schemes are privately owned, they can only be taken over on a permanent basis by Water Services Authorities at the request of the scheme. This approach will remain the same when Irish Water is established. The Department will remain responsible for the overall policy and funding of the non-public water sector, including the group water sector.
Work is now focused on the development of an implementation strategy which will address transformation planning in more detail. This strategy will provide the platform for dealing with a broad range of implementation issues during the transitional phase, including dealing with matters which cross the boundaries between Irish Water functions in relation to water services and those functions which will remain the responsibility of local authorities or other State bodies which impact on the water environment, including issues impacting on group water schemes.
The implementation strategy is being developed in collaboration with other relevant Government Departments, local authorities, Bord Gáis and NewERA. The strategy will focus on maintaining the delivery of a critical public service during and following a restructuring process, and will give further clarity on the next steps that will be taken in this reform process.