Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
725. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department is preparing a policy to deal with abandoned water assets, such as unused water towers; if so, the details of the policy; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42713/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides for the transfer, by Ministerial Order, of the property of a water services authority (a city or county council) to Irish Water. Up to the end of September 2017, 11 Ministerial Orders have been made to transfer water services assets, including underground assets, from the local authorities to Irish Water.
In relation to obsolete assets, it was not envisaged by the legislative framework that assets no longer deployed for or not intrinsically linked to water services purposes would transfer to Irish Water. The Water Services Reform Implementation Group which includes representatives from my Department, local authorities and Irish Water, is currently considering the approach to be taken in relation to a range of water services legacy issues following the establishment of Irish Water. These issues include the approach to be taken with regard to dealing with obsolete water services assets.
