Written Answers Nos. 161 - 164
161. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total water consumption by local authority area on 1 October 2013 and on 1 October 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43452/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not compile statistical data relating to water consumption. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commiss ion for Energy Regulation (CER).
In preparing its Water Charges Plan for submission to the CER Irish Water carried out a project to understand water consumption patterns in Ireland, and the Water Consumption Research Project (WCRP) is available on the CER website. The figures in the WCRP, based on actual metered data and follow-on surveys with over 3 , 000 houses, confirms that consumption for a household is 66,000 litres per year for the first occupant and an average 21,000 litres increase for each additional occupant. Data on consumption patterns will be provided by Irish Water to the CER on a regular basis.
Irish Water 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 1890 578 5 78.
162. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will appoint a representative of craft workers from local authorities (details supplied) to the board of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43467/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) and that the new company should be formed and registered under the Companies Acts. The Memorandum and Articles of Association, which were adopted by Irish Water on its incorporation in July 2013, provide that the appointment of directors to the Board of Irish Water is the responsibility of the Board of BGE (now Ervia) with the approval of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The appointment of directors to Irish Water by Ervia must be in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acts and with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Irish Water.
163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make available a dedicated Irish Water phone line and email service for craft workers and their representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43468/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
As part of the reform process, a specific structure, the Irish Water Consultative Group, chaired by Mr Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission, was established in 2012 to facilitate engagement between unions and management on the water sector reform programme. The ongoing deliberations of this group include discussions regarding the human resources aspects of the reform process.
164. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that water meters which were put in place in the Mullinahone-Drangan areas of south Tipperary during recent water mains rehabilitation works, are been taken out and replaced by Irish Water; the cost of replacing same; if these meters needed to be replaced, as they have only been in place for a short period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43483/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Water is committed to reusing previously installed meter boxes where possible. Water Meter installation contractors examine each case to establish if existing meter boxes can be reused. In this instance it was not possible to reuse the pre-existing boxes as they were flooded with water and therefore not suitable to have a meter installed.
