Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
313. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the commitments given to water services workers in June 2023, allowing them to remain in direct local authority employment until at least the end of 2026, preclude any requirement for those staff to undertake Uisce Éireann-led training or to engage with Uisce Éireann operational systems. [68571/25]
View answer314. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some local authorities have directed non-transferred water services staff to attend Uisce Éireann safety management system training; if he considers this compatible with Government commitments to those workers; and if he will intervene to ensure that any such directives are paused pending appropriate engagement. [68572/25]
View answer315. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the safeguards in place to ensure that local authority water workers who chose not to transfer to Uisce Éireann cannot be subject to indirect or functional transfer through training requirements, system dependencies or other measures introduced without agreement. [68573/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 313, 314 and 315 together.
The 2022 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 union representatives. The Workplace Relations Commission facilitated the dialogue. Inter alia, the Framework addressed concerns raised by water services staff and these clarifications remain.
Section 4 of the Framework details that local authority water services staff who decide not to transfer to Uisce Éireann can choose to remain in employment with their local authority maintaining their current terms and conditions of employment.
During the transition period, any arrangements put in place are in keeping with the Framework and are to help ensure the maintenance of a stable operational environment, as the water sector completes the transition to a national water services authority. I am informed that all water service workers have the opportunity to avail of Health and Safety or other training, so that they may participate fully and safely in their role. At the end of the transition period in 2026 local authorities will cease to be directly involved in the provision of public water services.
Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that the Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which they are responsible.
