Seanad debates

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage

 

5:50 pm

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

I will answer the questions to the best of my ability. On security of tenure, local authority employees are permanent staff. Transfers of local authority employees to Irish Water under a service level agreement will take place by agreement, in other words, the employees will continue to be employed by the local authority. However, they may also opt to transfer to Irish Water as employees of the new organisation.

On pensions, the local authority retains liabilities for the service the employee has accumulated while an employee of the local authority. If a person works for a local authority for the next ten years, the local authority will be liable for the pension accrued during that period. Moreover, employees who transfer under a service level agreement remain employees of the local authority. However, local authority staff who move to Irish Water as employees of the new organisation will be in a different scenario in respect of pension entitlements. I do not expect the terms of those pensions to be less favourable than those they currently enjoy as staff would have no reason to transfer to Irish Water if it would leave them worse off. I understand the issue of pensions is addressed in subsequent sections.

Irish Water will be responsible for health and safety, which is included in the service level agreements.

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