Water Services

Wednesday, 26 November 2025

Questions (207)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

207. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the required funding has not been released or allocated in order that the jobs, outlined under Section 4 of the Framework for the Future Delivery of Water Services, can be created and allow staff to retain the roles appropriate to their grade and competency; the reason local authorities are informing staff that only lower-grade positions exist, when the framework explicitly prohibits downgrading; if he will ensure that staff receive clarity on reassignment, role matching and pay grade protections; the oversight and enforcement he is putting in place to ensure that local authorities comply with the commitments made in the Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66538/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Framework for the Future Delivery of Water Services was prepared following extensive consultation between my Department, Uisce Éireann, the County and City Management Association, the Local Government Management Agency and Trades Union representatives. This dialogue was facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission. Inter alia, the Framework addressed concerns raised by water services staff.

Section 4 of the Framework outlines that local authority water services staff who decide not to transfer to Uisce Éireann by the deadline of end December 2026 can choose to remain in employment with their local authority. As this deadline approaches local authorities will continue to work closely with water services staff who choose to be redeployed within the local authority. Individual local authorities have put in place various support structures to assist staff move into new roles. These supports are typically tailored to the numbers of staff involved and the level of support required, which varies from local authority to local authority.

Local authorities are fully funded to deliver their services and deliver on their responsibilities under the Framework and my Department is engaging closely with the local authorities to ensure the overall objectives of the water transformation programme are met.