Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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96. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of former local authority workers currently employed by Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5015/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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A fundamental underpinning of the water reform programme is to ensure that the skills and experience built up over many years in local authorities are put to best use for the long-term benefit of the customer and that there is no negative impact on service to customers during the transition. Irish Water is currently recruiting to build up the internal capabilities required within the organisation and the number of staff employed is an operational matter for the organisation. Data supplied to my Department by Irish Water indicates that of the 346 staff appointments made to date, 125 were employed in Local Authorities immediately before recruitment.