Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014
32. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports by SIPTU that contractors involved in the installation of water meters for Irish Water are not abiding by agreements in relation to pay and conditions for workers in the sector. [11902/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Water has informed my Department that it has engaged with SIPTU on a monthly basis since the commencement of the meter installation programme in August 2013. In the metering contracts, Irish Water has set out standards for employment terms and conditions for workers on the metering project. These provide for rates of pay and conditions of employment, including pension, which are in line with the former Construction Industry Registered Agreements.
Irish Water has engaged an auditor, who was selected from a panel put forward by SIPTU, to conduct random audits on metering contractors. Irish Water is satisfied that its contractors are currently compliant with all of the contract terms in relation to pay and conditions (including sick pay, death in service benefit and pensions). The auditing process has identified a low number of incidents of non-compliance. When this has happened, contractors were given a short timeframe to become fully compliant and Irish Water continues to work with the contractors to investigate and rectify any issues. The audit process will remain in place for the duration of the metering programme and any issues identified or raised in relation to contractors will be promptly addressed.
