The locations of Irish Water’s regional offices have been announced. Irish Water will have three regions for operational purposes, regions aligned with those proposed in the Government’s local government reform plan, Putting People First.
The regional offices are being established to support the provision of water and wastewater services, with regional work associated with operations, asset management and certain capital projects being sited in these offices.
The locations of the eight regional Irish Water offices are:
*Dublin City (Eastern/Midlands region)
* Mullingar (Eastern/Midlands region)
* Castlebar (Connaught/Ulster region)
*Cavan Town (Connaught/Ulster region)
*Donegal Town (Connaught/Ulster region)
*Kilkenny City (Southern region)
*Limerick City (Southern region)
* Mallow (Southern region).
Irish Water will have a headquarters in Dublin and a services function in Cork. Between 18-32 employees will be based in each of these offices drawn from the local authorities, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG), Bord Gáis and open recruitment. A variety of roles will be available including operation and maintenance, capital planning and HSQE (Health Safety Quality & Environment). Further information on these roles will be available in due course on Irish Water’s website www.water.ie.
Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Phil Hogan TD comments: “These regional offices will help to increase efficiencies and create greater economies of scale in the provision of water services, while ensuring that Irish Water working with local authorities remains close to its customers.”
He adds: “Our goal is to create a world class water and wastewater system for citizens, that protects public health and the environment. A secure supply of quality water will also support job creation and encourage foreign direct investment from water-intensive industries.Irelandcan become a prime location for such industries as other countries struggle to ensure water supply meets demand.”
Agreement had been reached with the Troika to defer the date for the commencement of domestic charges to Quarter 4 2014, with first bills issuing in January 2015. Minister Hogan says: “My intention is that as part of a range of conservation measures to be put in place, that where leakage is found through the water meter installation programme on the customer side, a ‘first fix free’ or equivalent support scheme would be provided. I will announce final details on this shortly.”