Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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706. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when Irish Water will be assuming responsibility for the utilities ESB bills of group schemes that have been recently taken over by the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13744/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Legislation was enacted in December 2013 (the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013) which established Irish Water as the national water services authority from 1 January 2014. The Act provides for the transfer of water services functions from the 34 local authorities to Irish Water. This includes responsibility for the infrastructure associated with Group Water Schemes that had been taken over by local authorities prior to 31 December 2013. All operating costs, including utility bills, associated with such infrastructure are a matter for Irish Water.

My Department has asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with Oireachtas members to outline the arrangements for addressing such queries in a timely manner.