Water Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022

Tuesday, 25 October 2022

Ceisteanna (325)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

325. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will liaise with the Local Government Management Agency and the County and City Management Association with respect to when a full consultation will take place with Tipperary County Council staff in relation to their transfer to Irish Water, given that little to no consultation has taken place with the staff to date, and that they have serious concerns about the terms and conditions of their contracts and restrictions on their promotional prospects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53428/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

A Framework for the future of Water Services was identified on 24 June 2022 following a comprehensive process of engagement with unions under the aegis of the Workplace Relations Commission.

The Framework enables Irish Water to work in conjunction with local authorities and current water services staff to complete the integration of public water services into its own organisational structure, as envisaged in the Government’s Policy Paper on Water Sector Transformation (February, 2021).

The Framework itself already provides for a comprehensive engagement exercise to be carried out with local authority water services staff to communicate the Framework details directly to staff. This will ensure all water services workers will fully understand the options available to them under the Framework.

It is important to note that any transfers of staff to become permanent employees of Irish Water will be on a voluntary basis, and will have no implications for the security of tenure of the staff concerned.