Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide clarification for local authority staff across Ireland who may one way or other transfer from their current employer to the Irish Water Company, many of these staff currently employed will play a pivotal role in the successful transfer of assets and infrastructure from the local authorities to Irish Water; and if he will clarify the status of their job security post 2016. [51471/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Government decided, based on the recommendations of an independent assessment and in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, to establish a public water utility company, Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area.  The Government has further decided that Irish Water should be established as an independent subsidiary of the Bord Gáis Group.

The skills within the Bord Gáis Group will be paired with the experience and commitment to service in local authorities and the specific water and wastewater capabilities and expertise that exist in local government to build the new organisation and ensure its successful establishment and operation.  In the initial phase, Irish Water will work largely through service level agreements with local authorities, and these arrangements will not end until 2017 at the earliest.  This will ensure a smooth transition to the new model and guard against the loss of local expertise.  It will also mean that the majority of staff will remain in the direct employment of local authorities for a considerable period.  There will be detailed engagement with Staff and Trade Unions in the rollout of the proposed changes, and structures have been put in place to facilitate this engagement.