COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 13, 2014

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

To ask the Manager for an update on the financial and staffing implications around the establishment of Irish Water, and to make a statement on the matter?

REPLY:

As the Council will continue to provide both water and drainage services under a Service Level Agreement, there are no impacts arising to staffing levels from the establishment of Irish Water. There are some changes to operational arrangements for which a suite of  Protocols have been developed and put in place. Training Programmes are been provided to staff to engage with the transition to Irish Water and to manage all aspects of the work attached to that transition.

The adopted Budget provides for expenditure of €11,458,900 during 2014 on operational services and supports for Irish Water.  The costs associated with the services provided to Irish Water will be recouped via a monthly invoice.   As discussed during the 2014 budget process some significant payments such as the cost of bulk water, the drainage agreement and commercial rates will be directly incurred by Irish Water and are no longer included in the South Dublin budget.  This change of accounting will not affect the level or quality of water services in 2014 but accounts for the significant reduction in the Water Services expenditure when compared to 2013.  The level of supports and delivery of same to Irish Water has been agreed in the 2014 Service Level Agreement.