Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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26. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions he has had with Irish Water in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9066/15]

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. To manage the transition process a number of governance structures have been put in place by the Department which the Managing Director of Irish Water attends. A Water Sector Reform Steering Group, representative of local authorities, Irish Water, NewERA, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department, provides high level oversight of the water sector reform agenda. There has been one meeting of this Group in 2015.

My Department also engages with Irish Water senior management on a regular basis on matters such as funding matters, strategic planning, the metering programme, the communications agenda, corporate governance and other key implementation issues.

Given the range of challenges involved in the establishment and operation of Irish Water there have been a number of meetings outside of these structures between Irish Water management, my officials and/or the Minister to deal with implementation issues as they arise. Since taking up office, I have met with the Managing Director on a number of occasions, which have included an introductory meeting and discussions on issues including the changes to the policy framework on water charges reflected in the Government announcement of 19 November 2014, communications /stakeholder engagement issues, Irish Water’s capital investment and a range of issues associated with the water reform implementation programme generally.