Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 18 together.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides for the transfer of water services functions, with some exceptions, of the city and county councils to Irish Water. The provision, operation and maintenance of sewers other than storm water sewers are among the functions transferred to Irish Water. However, the operation and maintenance of storm water sewers remain functions of the local authorities.

There is no funding stream available from my Department to local authorities for funding storm water services. However, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, income from development levies must be ring-fenced to pay for facilities servicing new developments. Local authorities fund the provision and maintenance of storm water sewers through moneys received from such development contributions. Any issue arising in respect of individual developments should, therefore, be pursued with the relevant local authorities.

I expect that this was a practical response to the fact that responsibility for the planning and building of developments and the run-off water infrastructure linked with same which is financed by the development charges applied to these developments remained with local authorities instead of being moved to a separate structure.

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