Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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589. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if it is intended that Irish Water will have jurisdiction over local and group water schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26919/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Under the Water Sector Reform Programme the primary focus of Irish Water will be on the delivery of services to customers on the public water and wastewater networks. My Department will remain responsible for the overall policy , and funding where appropriate, of the non-public sector, including the group water sector.

In order to facilitate the establishment of a new public water utility to take over responsibility for the delivery of water services, a number of work-streams have been set up under the Water Sector Reform Programme to assist with the transition of services to Irish Water. One such work-stream is dealing specifically with issues relating to the Group Water Sector. The objectives of this work-stream are to ensure that there is clarity of roles and responsibility for the group water sector and other components of the Rural Water Programme and to develop a medium term strategy for the sector.