John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this issue. I am taking it on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. I am pleased to have an opportunity to outline the policy and legislative arrangements that are in place for the development and delivery of water services. I understand that the "do not use" notice in respect of water services at Belvelly was removed in recent days and that Irish Water and Cork County Council have notified consumers on the affected section of the network that normal water services have been restored. This follows the implementation of remedial measures to deal with the standard level of iron in the supply having been exceeded, as well as the confirmation by the HSE of satisfactory monitoring results. This means everyone can resume normal use of the water supply. I acknowledge the patience, co-operation and assistance of the public since the "do not use" notice was put in place on 16 August last. I realise how stressful and distressing service curtailments can be. Any inconvenience caused to householders and the business community at Belvelly is greatly regretted.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has had statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water as a single national utility is taking a strategic nationwide approach to asset planning and investment and meeting customer requirements. In October 2015, a water services strategic plan was prepared by Irish Water and obtained ministerial approval. The plan sets out a high-level 25-year strategy to ensure the provision of clean and safe drinking water, effective management of wastewater, environmental protection and support for economic and social development. The first water services policy statement to be prepared in line with the Water Services Acts was published, following approval by the Government, on 21 May 2018. The statement, which outlines a clear direction for strategic planning and decision-making on water and wastewater services, identifies key policy objectives and priorities for the delivery of water and wastewater services over the period to 2025. It sets out a series of high-level policy objectives across the three thematic areas of quality, conservation and future-proofing which must be pursued when capital investment is being planned and current spending plans are being framed. The policy statement will provide the context within which necessary funding and investment plans by Irish Water will be framed and agreed.

Last week, on foot of the water services policy statement, the Minister approved Irish Water's strategic funding plan, which sets out the costs of providing domestic and non-domestic water and wastewater services and the recovery of those costs. The strategic funding plan will feed into the allowed revenue determination for Irish Water by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, as the economic regulator of Irish Water, and will ultimately feed into future annual Estimates and budgetary processes. Irish Water's next investment plan, for the period from 2020 to 2024, will set out the financial plan for capital investment to support its strategic objectives, as set out in the water services strategic plan and the strategic funding plan, to deliver improvements to water services throughout Ireland where they are needed most. Irish Water will also take account of developing subsidiary programmes within its investment plan, such as those aimed at addressing the needs of smaller communities, to assist in implementing the national planning framework and the national development plan. Irish Water will work with each local authority to develop such programmes further for inclusion in future funding requirements.

Water services are essential to the daily lives of our citizens and to the economy. We need to ensure the best and most appropriate arrangements possible are in place for the delivery of these vital services. A substantial proportion of investment by the State through Irish Water over the next ten years will focus on programmes to improve compliance with relevant public health and environmental standards. Deputy Sherlock was pre-empting my reply when he mentioned the flushing of the network, which is not referred to in the document provided to me. I note his comments about the visual quality of the water. I will make contact with Irish Water on the lifting of the "do not use" notice. The HSE's monitoring showed that satisfactory results have been obtained. While I have no reason to doubt the HSE or the Department when they say that the requisite standards have been met, I can recheck the reply. I would also like to refer to the funding of Irish Water measures across the country. Since the establishment of Irish Water, Ministers have not been able to make a direct input into decisions on the funding of projects. It is a matter for Irish Water to make such decisions.

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