Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2016
118. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water has taken responsibility from local authorities for dealing with complaints relating to the provision of water services that predate its existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11075/16]
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. They may be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 578 578.
The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and that the CER must perform its functions in a manner that best serves the interests of customers of Irish Water.
Similar to the approach it has taken in the electricity and gas industries, the CER has required Irish Water to submit a Customer Handbook outlining the minimum requirements of customer service standards they will provide to their customers. The Customer Handbook comprises Irish Water’s Customer Charter, Codes of Practice and the Terms and Conditions of supply. Following a public consultation on the document in 2014, the CER published the approved Irish Water Customer Handbook on their website, at
http://www.cer.ie/docs/000956/CER14364%20Irish%20Water%20Customer%20Handbook.pdf.Furthermore, the Water Services Act 2014 includes a provision that the CER will provide a dispute resolution service for registered customers of Irish Water. This will be similar to the service operated by the Commission for the gas and electricity markets.
