Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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17. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the completion of the single utility for water services and to outline what additional funding his Department intends to provide to cover the full costs of water service workers remaining in local authorities on their current full terms and conditions. [33134/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2022 was published in December of last year. This Act provides for the establishment of Uisce Eireann as the stand-alone national water services authority.

In terms of governance, the authority will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and will be accountable to the Public Accounts Committee, in recognition of the level of Exchequer funding now provided to Uisce Eireann.

To further strengthen the position of Uisce Eireann as Ireland’s national water services authority I have previously outlined the Government’s planned approach to bring forward a referendum proposal on water ownership in conjunction with the anticipated recommendation of a proposed referendum on housing from the Commission on Housing.

In relation to the transformation programme to support the transfer of water services functions from local authorities to Uisce Eireann, the Framework for future delivery of water services sets out the options for water services workers.

With regard to the specific point about workers that choose to remain within their own local authority, my Department will ensure that any additional cost burden on local authorities will be met.

I am optimistic that many water services workers will accept the very attractive offer to transfer to Uisce Eireann and continue their career with the national water services authority.