Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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521. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the plans he has to provide a free-phone telephone number for Irish Water customers; the reason one has not already been set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44241/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme.

Irish Water have established a customer support call centre, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This call centre is designed for reporting of any faults in water services and assisting customers with any queries related to water services. The call centre number, 1890 278 278, is also contactable on the national number 01 707 2828. A separate number, 1890 448 448, has been dedicated to assist with queries and completion of the new customer application form. This line is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Irish Water can also be contacted by email and the application form can also be completed on line. All details are clearly outlined on the company website, .

Irish Water has informed my Department that it has adopted 1890 numbers because this strikes a reasonable balance on contact cost between that incurred by the customer and that incurred by the company. Irish Water’s remit is to act commercially in carrying on its operations and the company considers that its 1890 channels are consistent with these objectives.

Irish Water has also established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to or by telephone on 1890 578 578.