Written answers

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Local Authority Staff

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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654. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the procedure in place for county council water workers if Irish Water takes over all current duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47981/18]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, 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 has entered into service level agreements (SLAs) with each local authority for the provision of water services.  Staff members working under these arrangements remain local authority employees while continuing to perform key water services functions with local authorities acting as agents of Irish Water.  Staffing arrangements are an operational matter for Irish Water and local authorities within the context of the SLA arrangements currently in place.

On 19 September 2018, I received a report from the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in respect of a process of engagement that was undertaken at my request with the parties involved in the transformation programme for Irish Water, those being Irish Water, ICTU and relevant affiliated unions, Local Government management and my Department.  The context here lies in Irish Water’s proposal to fully integrate its operations and end the current operational arrangements for the delivery of water services through the service level agreements with local authorities.  The discussions with the parties have advanced on the basis that the current SLAs remain in place until such time as an alternative is agreed.

In considering the WRC report in consultation with my Government colleagues, I have been particularly mindful of the WRC’s comments that uncertainty about the next phase of transformation appears to be causing staffing difficulties at Local Government level and that further delay in providing the necessary clarity could exacerbate this situation and increase risks to the safe and effective delivery of water and wastewater services.  Therefore, in the interests of clarity, I am asking the parties to now engage in a process to work towards the development of a stable structural and operational framework for the future. I am grateful for the commitment of the WRC to facilitate this process.  My Department has been in communication with the parties in this regard.

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