Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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513. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the starting rates of pay at Irish Water; and the rates of pay for the various grades. [43131/14]

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 employment terms and conditions for Irish Water staff are a matter for the company and I understand that the particular pay model is something which was inherited from the parent company Ervia and therefore was not directly put in place by Irish Water. Like other commercial semi-state bodies, pay models are negotiated between management and unions and are then subject to a ballot as necessary. This occurred in Ervia’s case and the pay model was implemented in 2011.

The Government will shortly consider proposals to establish a unified board arrangement for Ervia and Irish Water. One of the first actions that I will be asking the new Board to take will be to review the application and operation of the pay model outlined above in Irish Water, particularly in its start-up phase.

Under the pay model, salaries below that of the Managing Director are calculated by reference to the relevant median market rate. An amount is then deducted which is referred to as the “performance related award which is an element of pay at risk. The remaining amount is the base salary. Individuals are placed at the appropriate point in the base pay range based on their level of competence and expertise. There are no incremental pay scales. The following table has been provided by Irish Water which sets out the starting base pay ranges for the various grades.