Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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325. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of staff currently employed by Irish Water; the estimated increase in staff in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39162/14]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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327. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria used by Irish Water in awarding bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39164/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 327 together.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.

I understand from data supplied to my Department by Irish Water that 519 staff have been recruited up to 2 October 2014. Of these, 153 have been recruited from local authorities, 88 from Bórd Gáis Éireann (BGE) and 5 from my Department. Irish Water estimate that by the end of 2015 this figure will have risen to 693 staff, which is the final target staffing figure for the enduring Irish Water organisation.

The employment terms and conditions for Irish Water staff are a matter for the company and I understand that these are in line with the arrangements applying within Bórd Gáis Éireann. Bórd Gáis Éireann has in place a competitive market based pay model, which offers market based pay ranges for all employees, including a pay at risk element called Performance Related Award (PRA). A pay freeze will remain in place until 2016 as this is a key element of reducing overall payroll costs within the Group.  As such, Irish Water does not pay increments or any form of automatic pay award; the pay model applied allows for part of salaries to be placed at risk and this element of pay is only earned subject to performance. Every individual in Irish Water has a clear set of objectives set for the year and a set of metrics against which performance is measured.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email at or by telephone on 1890 278 278.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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326. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff employed by sub contractors hired by Irish Water for customer services; the length of the contract; the total cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39163/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The procurement by Irish Water of external resources is a matter for the company and I have no role in the matter. Irish Water has advised that it appointed Abtran Ltd, Cork, to operate all customer contact channels and associated general administration. The contract is for a five year period (2013-2018) and was awarded following a competitive tender process. As such the financial value of the contract is commercially sensitive.

There are currently just under 500 staff engaged on the contract. This contract covers the provision of customer care to approximately 1.6 million domestic and business public water service users.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email at or by telephone on 1890 278 278.