David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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578. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to the Questions on Promised Legislation debate of 19 September 2024, if he has made any decisions with regard to the possible compensation of those under boil water notices as part of his review of the Uisce Éireann plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44593/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s priority is to ensure that people’s health is protected and that adequate water is available for all consumers. I am keen to see this Boil Water Notice lifted without undue delay – but only when the HSE and EPA have confirmed the water supply is safe. As the public health authority, it is the HSE’s decision regarding issuing a Boil Water Notice or Do Not Consume Notice.

Uisce Éireann commenced a €22 million upgrade at Whitegate Water Treatment Plant in July 2024. The upgrade will ensure a safe, secure, and reliable supply of drinking water to the homes and businesses served by the Whitegate Regional Water Supply. The new state-of-the-art treatment plant will address the frequent Boil Water Notices that the people of East Cork have experienced over the last number of years.

Uisce Éireann has a strong customer service focus through its Water Charges Plan and Customer Charter, which outlines the standard of service customers should expect to receive. The Water Charges Plan sets out a compensation mechanism for Business Customers when water quality is compromised and unfit for human consumption such as when Drinking Water Restriction Notices apply. Such customers who pay charges are entitled to a rebate under the Customer Handbook as agreed with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). However, implementation of the Water Charges Plan is a matter in the first instance for Uisce Éireann. Any issues, which cannot be resolved by Uisce Éireann to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred under the formal complaints process to the CRU.

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, 1890 578 578.