Water Meters Installation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2013

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Ceisteanna (346, 355)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

346. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason that there is a requirement for an average annual turnover of €400,000 to qualify under the water metering qualification system for the subcontractor panel; the reason for such a high turnover; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this will limit the ability of small businesses to qualify to tender; if he will clarify exactly the way 25% of the water metering jobs are going to be given to small local businesses, graduates and the unemployed when such a requirement exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11180/13]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

355. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of any contracts that have been awarded for the installation of domestic water meters. [11459/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 355 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 219 of 27 February 2013, which sets out the position in relation to the procurement process. The tender documents for the regional management contracts issued by Bord Gáis provide that at least 25% of the estimated 1,600 jobs that will be created directly as a result of the domestic water metering programme must be given to people from small local businesses, the unemployment register and to school leavers, graduates and apprentices. This will be a provision in the regional management contracts that will be awarded by Bord Gáis. At this stage, no contracts have been awarded for the installation of the meters. As the procurement process is currently underway it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.