Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

12. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the proposal to transfer local authority water services staff to Irish Water and the creation of a single water utility for the State. [33761/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government published a Policy Paper entitled Irish Water - Towards a national, publicly-owned, regulated water services utility in February 2021 setting out our views and expectations on the next phase of transformation in the water sector.  

This will complete the broad policy and legislative reforms which have seen public water services embark on a journey of transformation, from a structure based on locally-organised water services authorities, towards a single, national, water utility in public ownership.  

There are significant issues for the workforce to be addressed in integrating the day-to-day operation and delivery of water services within Irish Water.  To resolve these, my colleague Minister O'Brien asked the  Workplace Relations Commission to recommence engagement on water sector transformation with all parties aimed at reaching a collective agreement on a Framework for the future delivery of water services. This engagement is currently underway although the in-ability to hold face to face discussions due to Covid restrictions has hampered the process. I understand, however, that such discussions will take place in the coming weeks in line with the relaxation of restrictions in the coming weeks. 

Change is difficult for any workforce. I am fully aware that many in the local government service do not necessarily wish to see changes to the current arrangements. However, the fact is that the Government has decided that Irish Water is to become a fully integrated, direct labour, national public utility. The status quo is not an option and continued uncertainty about the future does a disservice to everyone currently employed in the water services in local authorities. It is therefore important that the parties to the transformation process engage intensively over the coming weeks at the WRC to agree an outcome which will deliver for all parties.  

The Government believes it will be possible to reach a collective agreement which addresses the interests and concerns of all parties.