Mr. Joe McGrath:

We are engaged in a detailed process at national level on the transformation of water services. The Deputy is aware of a recent framework agreement which sets out how this is going to be accelerated from the start of next year. In many respects, this is to be welcomed because it will accelerate the need to address issues like this. One of the issues that will be addressed in this regard, and which we would welcome, is the taking in charge of housing estates. We mentioned earlier that there is a memorandum of understanding, MOU, in place in respect of taking housing estates in charge. This has worked very well. I mentioned that we have taken 122 estates in charge in County Tipperary as a result. It would be welcome if we could see a similar arrangement, MOU or agreement at national level as part of dealing with the legacy issues regarding DPI estates, of which there are some 800, or thereabouts, in the country. I hope this information is useful to the Deputy.