Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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1555. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if local authority tenants are liable for the cost of repairing internal leaks found by Irish Water; if not, if it is the responsibility of the local authority as the landlord; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15711/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has been responsible for delivering public water services, which includes responsibility for maintaining water supply pipes extending from a waterworks or wastewater 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 pipes, connections or distribution systems that 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.

Under the 'First Fix Free' leak repair scheme operated by Irish Water, as approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities,  Irish Water assists customers by notifying them where suspected leakage is occurring within the boundary of their property. Leaks which are identified on the external supply pipe serving a property are offered a free leak repair. The First Fix Free scheme does not apply to leaks within a dwelling.

In the context of a local authority tenancy, section 58 of the Housing Act 1966 provides that the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each individual local authority. This includes the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and the carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs.