Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the opportunity to raise this matter. This issue concerns a problem that has occurred seasonally over the past couple of years, in particular because demand has increased capacity and the system is reaching its limit. The algae involved occurs naturally in clean, fresh water and does not pose a health risk, but it seriously affects and slows down the treatment process at the production plants. As a result, over the past ten days, we have seen a significant reduction and limiting of water supplies to north-east Wicklow in particular. People in the area become annoyed when they see restrictions on water which originates in and is treated in Wicklow, albeit under Dublin City Council up to now, but from now on the responsibility of Irish Water.

The water seems to be flowing unimpeded to Dublin city. I do not begrudge Dublin getting water, but many areas of north Wicklow which are much closer to the supply source are being cut off, in particular areas such as Kilpedder, Enniskerry, Kilmacanogue and higher areas where pressure has become a problem. A statement this afternoon from the head of communications at Irish Water states that it is not planned to interrupt supply tonight, 6 May, but a further assessment of shut-offs will be made tomorrow, Wednesday, 7 May. Nonetheless, properties at high elevations will suffer loss of water during daytime, but should receive enough water. I acknowledge this is an improvement on the situation.

I flagged this issue at a briefing we received from official from Irish Water some time ago and pointed out the algae problem was a problem that was likely to occur. While, there are long-term proposals to upgrade the plant to deal with the issue, we need an interim solution. This is a predictable phenomenon. We need a rapid response plan in place. We can predict weather. Therefore, we could determine and predict this problem. We know roughly when the algae bloom is about to occur and are aware of its impact. Until we have a new plant, we know what interim, remedial work is required. Unfortunately, this involves painstakingly and laboriously scraping the algae off the filter beds to keep them in production. This may be a simple manpower issue, but it is resolvable. This interim measure should be taken until such time as the significant work to upgrade the plant is completed.

I call for the Minister, in conjunction with management and officials at Irish Water and local management, to address this issue so that we do not suffer this unnecessary and avoidable problem. As I said, the algae does not cause health problems, but indirectly, the lack of water or limited water can have a health impact on families, older people and people with special needs. Last weekend, Fáilte Ireland was part sponsor of a very successful gourmet Greystones weekend. While the gourmet weekend may not have been the reason for it, the water was turned on in Greystones for the weekend. While there was a limited supply, at least it was turned on and without it, the festival would have had to be cancelled. I call on the Minister of State to take on board the concerns I have expressed here on behalf of the citizens of north Wicklow.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Doyle for raising this important matter in the House. However, the Department has no responsibility for, or role in, the management, maintenance or operation of water infrastructure. This is a matter for Uisce Éireann, the water services authority, which is responsible under statute for the operation, maintenance and management of water infrastructure.

Local authorities, in this case Wicklow County Council, continue to provide water services on behalf of Irish Water through service level agreements that have been put in place. The Vartry water supply is a critical element of the greater Dublin area water supply system and is the sole supply to north-east Wicklow, including Bray, Greystones, Delgany and Kilmacanogue. In recent years, the plant has been badly hampered in late spring and early summer by heavy algal growth which clogs the sand filters, reducing output severely.

From inquiries made to Uisce Éireann, I understand that water production at the Vartry water treatment works at Roundwood has reduced significantly due to the seasonal impact of algae in the source water. The algae occur naturally in clean, fresh water and do not pose a health risk, although it does slow the treatment process. In addition, local supply issues, which were unrelated to this reduction in production, impacted on customer supply.

Irish Water has also confirmed today that supply to Enniskerry is now back to normal. However, in Greystones, there has been a continued loss of some local service. The cause of this loss is being investigated and Wicklow County Council, on behalf of Uisce Éireann, is working to ensure that all customers have a supply of water from the public mains for a period within the 24-hour day. Continued water conservation measures over the weekend were necessary to replenish the water level.

Wicklow County Council is reviewing whether it will be necessary to continue with restrictions for the coming days to ensure the reservoir levels are recovered. Properties at a very high elevation have been suffering a loss of water during the day time, but should receive water at pressures sufficient to fill storage tanks during night time. The council is continuing to investigate improvements and is organising an alternative water supply via water tankers. Uisce Éireann has confirmed that water to the two main centres of population are close to normal and will further improve during this week. Customer information has been posted on the Wicklow County Council and Uisce Éireann websites and customers have been offered a range of communication channels for more information, including phone, post, web and twitter. The Irish Water customer contact centre receives regular updates on the situation so customers receive current information. This service provides details of the locations at which water is being provided from tankers.

Irish Water recognises that the whole Vartry system is in need of major upgrading and has commenced a study to determine the scope, cost, timeframe and planning for the works required. Uisce Éireann is looking at options for interim plans of a temporary nature which might be put in place in the short term.

Since 1 January, Irish Water has had responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure and is preparing a capital investment fund for the period 2014 to 2016. The additional funding of €200 million approved by the Cabinet this morning for the period 2015 to 2016 will assist in enabling Irish Water to accelerate additional capital projects. While I understand the distress being expressed by consumers at the lack of a continuous supply of water in their areas, Uisce Éireann and the local authorities are doing everything possible to alleviate the problems and restore an adequate and safe supply at the earliest possible opportunity.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response and acknowledge the efforts being made by Wicklow County Council to address this problem. The Minister of State has referred to local supply issues that are unrelated to the reduction in production but which have impacted negatively on the consumer. That is a contention of Irish Water and one with which the county council would likely disagree. As I understand it, the problem is to do with the pumping system which, if it is interfered with, causes more problems than it solves, including air locks. As the Minister of State noted, Irish Water is considering the provision of interim, temporary plants in the short term. That needs to happen without delay and I ask the Minister of State to communicate very strongly its urgency to the chief executive officer of Irish Water.

I sent an e-mail to Irish Water more than one week ago using the Oireachtas Members' e-mail facility and have yet to receive a response. I wrote to the CEO on Thursday expressing my disappointment at the lack of a response against a background where we had received strong reassurance there would be no such issue. I do not like having to raise the matter here, but I am obliged to do so. It is not acceptable that a query submitted on behalf of a considerable number of people, all of whom will be expected to pay their water charges, should be ignored in this way. I have no problem with the introduction of water charges, but people cannot be expected to pay for water when there is no supply. We need to address this issue now; it is not something that can be left on the long finger. While significant funds will be coming on stream for capital development, an interim measure is necessary to ensure the problem does not recur. As I said, it is a predictable and foreseeable issue and a plan of action must be in place to address it.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I am shocked that Irish Water has not responded to the Deputy's e-mail of more than one week ago. That is not good enough and I will ask it to investigate the issue urgently. Everybody is entitled to a response to his or her queries, whether he or she is a Member of the Oireachtas through the 1890 278278 telephone number or the e-mail facility or an ordinary member of the public. One of the key objectives is that Irish Water should be able to respond to issues as they arise and ensure communications are properly and effectively managed. The Deputy's experience is not acceptable and I will ask Uisce Éireann to get back to him immediately on the matter.

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The second Topical Issue matter is in the name of Deputy John Lyons who I understand is seeking a deferral.

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Yes. I am requesting that the matter be deferred to an alternative date when the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, is available to take it. I understand it has provisionally been tabled for Thursday.

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Is it agreed that the Deputy's Topical Issue matter be deferred? Agreed. We will proceed with the third matter in the name of Deputy Billy Kelleher.