Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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519. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount Irish Water has been allowed to pay for bonuses, consultancy fees, and for the running of call centres in 2014 and 2015. [41149/14]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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543. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of staff employed by Irish water in their billing department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45389/14]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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544. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated maintenance costs of water meters already installed per annum in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45396/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 519, 543 and 544 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 have no role in the operational matters of Irish Water.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the independent, economic regulator of Irish Water and retains the power to advise the Minister on development and delivery of water services.Irish Water’s operational costs have been carefully examined by the Regulator and demanding requirements have been set. Irish Water must reduce its operating costs by 7% annually to end 2016. Details of the Irish Water’s approved water charges plan, including cost breakdowns to end 2016 submitted by Irish Water to the CER, are available on the CER’s website at .

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.