Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
442. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 402 of 21 March 2017, the number of meter boxes and water meters installed by local authorities in advance of the Uisce Éireann water meter installation project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19383/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 402 of 21 March 2017.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Prior to this, responsibility for water services infrastructure was a matter for local authorities under Section 31 of the Water Services Act 2007.
Prior to the commencement of the national metering programme, a pre-installation survey was undertaken by local authorities to inform the procurement process. This survey primarily identified the location of the outside stop valves and properties that were suitable for metering by Irish Water. Where water meters and meter boxes were installed in advance of the metering programme as a condition of planning, I understand that in some cases the planning authority only requested that a meter box be installed, while in other cases the installation of a meter box and meter was required. Irish Water committed to reusing previously installed meter boxes where possible and over the course of the metering programme in excess of 125,000 meter boxes were reused by Irish Water.
Irish Water does not have total data on the number of meter boxes and/or water meters installed in advance of its establishment.
