Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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623. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he is bringing forward any plans to facilitate the entry by Irish Water employees or their agents to private dwellings in order to be able to deal with waste water issues in pipes located on private property and deal with waste water blockages across individual homes and housing estates where pipes are located on private gardens and not public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25756/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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. Irish Water is responsible for water services infrastructure including water supply pipes or sewers extending from a waterworks or waste water works to the curtilage of a private property.

Under sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for maintenance and replacement of any water or wastewater pipes, connections or distribution systems which are located within the boundary of a private property rests with the owner. This was the position that pertained prior to the establishment of Irish Water when individual local authorities held responsibility for public water services and infrastructure.

While the legal position is set out in the 2007 Act, my Department is engaging with Irish Water in order to set out clearly the responsibilities of Irish Water and property owners in relation to water supply and wastewater infrastructure.