Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On 14 January 2015, I signed an order under section 12 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. This order provided for the transfer to Irish Water of all underground water services assets previously vested in any local authority across the country. Further orders for the transfer of assets are currently being drawn up and I expect shortly to sign an order for the transfer of approximately 250 treatment plants from local authorities to Irish Water.

Considerable work is involved in preparing supporting material for the transfer of over-ground assets from local authorities to ensure that the order reflects the precise nature and, in particular, the boundaries of such assets. The remaining orders required will be completed as soon as possible, subject to taking the time necessary to ensure that the assets are accurately defined. In that regard, I expect the process on the transfer of over-ground assets to be largely concluded by the end of June 2015.

Work is under way between Irish Water and the local authorities on the identification and quantification of water-related financial liabilities. Final agreement on the liability to transfer to Irish Water, including financial assets, liabilities and debtors, will be by way of balancing statements agreed between Irish Water and local authorities. Again, this is a very significant exercise which it is important is completed accurately. The work involved is now at an advanced stage and I anticipate that it will be completed in the near future.

In 2014, some €47 million was provided to local authorities for the purpose of servicing water-related loans, pending the agreement of an enduring set of arrangements for dealing with such loans. Discussions in this regard are ongoing between my Department, the Department of Finance and other stakeholders, including the local authorities. These discussions will be finalised as soon as possible.

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