Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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297. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether the recent completion by Irish Water in partnership with Dublin City Council of the major five-year long infrastructure project to cover the treated water reservoirs at Stillorgan in order to finally eliminate long-standing risks of contamination for example cryptosporidium and antimicrobial resistant pathogens proven to be dispersed into the water supply by large seagull colonies in their faecal waste, marks a welcome strengthening of the protection of public health, in particular for the 200,000 + consumers served by the reservoirs [34539/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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 level. Irish Water as a single national water services authority takes a strategic, nationwide approach to asset planning and investment. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Irish Water, and is approved through its own internal governance structures.

However, the importance of protecting and improving Ireland’s water resources cannot be underestimated. Having good, secure water supplies, comprehensive waste water services and clean waters are vital for protecting public health, supporting economic growth and preserving our environment for future generations.

In this regard, I am pleased to note that the Stillorgan Reservoir has been modernised with the construction of a new state-of-the-art covered reservoir by Irish Water, which means that homes and businesses covering 200,000 people across South Dublin, will now enjoy a much safer and more secure water supply.

The new covered reservoir, which can store over 160 million litres of treated drinking water, replaces three open reservoirs that were no longer fit for purpose as they were uncovered and presented a risk of contamination by not only birds, but also from other animals and human activities.

The completion of the reservoir marks the culmination of a total investment of €150 million in the upgrade of the Vartry Water Supply Scheme, which also delivered the replacement of the old Vartry to Callowhill tunnel in 2018 and the construction of the new Vartry Water Treatment Plant which was completed in 2021. The reservoir and associated infrastructure will have the capacity to support future water demand through 2031 and beyond.

This work, progressed by Irish Water and the Local Authorities, is critical not only to the health and wellbeing of the population, but also to the development of the city, enabling us to meet our commitments under Housing for All, to create more businesses and attract more investment, by providing a more secure and resilient water supply for Dublin.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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298. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if Irish Water plan to increase ongoing training of staff. [34560/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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 in accordance with Section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. Staffing matters, including training, are a matter for Irish Water and as Minister I have no role in relation to their ongoing training plans. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives.  The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.