Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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246. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the precise criteria used by consultancy firms (details supplied) in determining to which entity to award the original Irish Water tender in 2012; the amount that was paid to said firms for their services in respect of this advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13852/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations in an independent assessment, to establish a public water utility company to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. The tender was advertised on the eTenders website, in accordance with public procurement guidelines. The award criteria used was published as part of the procurement process and was based on technical merit (Approach to Assignment, Project Management and Delivery Programme) and price. A consortium from PWC and McCann Fitzgerald were appointed to undertake the work and the final cost of the services provided was €179,584, inclusive of VAT.

While the consortium advised on the range of issues which would have to be taken into account in considering whether an existing State agency should undertake the role, the analysis which underpinned the decision to ask Bord Gáis Eireann (now Ervia) to undertake the role, was undertaken by a team comprising my Department and NewERA, in consultation with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The process involved an assessment of the capacity and capabilities of a number of State agencies from amongst those identified in the independent assessment as having the potential to incorporate a new water utility. A copy of the report of this assessment and the range of capabilities is available on my Department's website at the following link: .