Written answers
Tuesday, 26 September 2023
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Water Services
Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
341. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government what oversight, if any, his Department has in the awarding of public contracts by Uisce Éireann, particularly in relation to the Hybrid 2 project at Ringsend, which has been awarded to a company (details supplied); and if he is satisfied that this company is complying with obligations under public procurement regulations, Statutory Instrument no. 284/2016 Section 18 subsection (4) (a), in the fields of 'Environmental, Social and Labour Law'. [41364/23]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation, procurement and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures and board.
Under the Water Services Act 2013, Uisce Éireann is required to seek the consent of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage - given with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) - to enter into capital commitments. Uisce Éireann must seek Ministerial consent prior to entering into any individual capital commitment of a value in excess of €50 million. This is a financial control and not a project consent.
The Ringsend WWTP Project did not require Ministerial consent owing to the Project's stage in the project lifecycle prior to the publication of the Public Spending Code. However, the project was noted by Government in 2021: no specific approval by Government is required for the project.
The Department in consultation with Uisce Éireann, DPENDR, NewERA and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), has developed the Water Services Sector Specific Guidelines for Uisce Éireann, as required by the Public Spending Code. The Guidelines ensure that Uisce Éireann is in compliance with the principles and guidance set out in the Public Spending Code for the management and appraisal of capital projects.
Uisce Éireann 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.
No comments