Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The topic the Deputy raised was the lack of notification to householders prior to installation of water meters and that is what is addressed in my prepared reply. The questions the Deputy raised are not part of that. I will be very happy to ask Irish Water to reply directly to the Deputy on the statistics and the process.

As the Deputy will be aware Irish Water is responsible for the metering programme which commenced in July 2013 with the aim of installing over 1 million meters by the end of 2016. More than 1,000 people are working on installing meters, comprising plumbers, general workmen, supervisory staff and so on.

Customer support arrangements are in place, including a communications campaign and the establishment of a customer contact centre. There should also be contact with each Oireachtas Member. Irish Water undertook that each Oireachtas Member would be contacted as would each local authority member so that they have full access to information about what was going on in their area, particularly if there are problems such as those the Deputy has identified.

Irish Water made a commitment to provide households with information on what it is doing. This information includes details on what to expect before, during and immediately after the installation. Irish Water has confirmed to the Department that it is meeting this commitment. Clearly the Deputy's evidence is entirely contrary to that and it would be very important for him to bring it to the attention of Irish Water urgently. Irish Water delivers leaflets at least two weeks in advance of the installation of the meter. The Deputy has asked for a month and I will ask Irish Water to respond to him on that. A further leaflet is delivered at least three days in advance. This leaflet includes contact details for Irish Water and also asks any householders with any disability, mobility or medical concerns to ring the call centre so any additional support or advice can be arranged.

Irish Water makes every effort to ensure that the communications are delivered in a timely and effective manner. It has informed the Department that there have been a few isolated cases where it has had to temporarily suspend the distribution of the leaflets to maintain the health and safety of its staff. In this regard, section 72 of the Water Services Act 2007 provides that Irish Water can require any consumer of water supplied by it to take such supply through a specified meter.

The protection of the interests of customers is a central element of the Government's reform. The establishment of Irish Water should provide a more efficient and cost-effective service. I appreciate there are more issues. If the Deputy gives me the areas on which he needs responses, I would be happy to come back to him on them.

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