Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
323. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the remedies or supports available in the case of a person who experiences frequent interruptions to their mains water supply due to topography and low pressure, as verified by Uisce Éireann, but who is simultaneously ineligible for a local authority grant for a new well, on the basis that the property is connected to the public mains. [23465/26]
View answerUisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures. I have no role role in operational matters such as providing remedies for customers experiencing interruptions to their mains water service.
It is open to any customer of Uisce Éireann’s to lodge a formal complaint with the Utility, details on how to do so are provided at the following links:
https://www.water.ie/contact/business-customers/complaint/
https://www.water.ie/contact/general-enquiry/domestic-complaint/
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) also provides a free complaint resolution service for customers who have submitted a complaint to Uisce Éireann and are unhappy with the outcome. The details on this process can be found at https://www.cru.ie/make-a-complaint/complain-to-the-cru/
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 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. Compensation for business customers is therefore an operational matter for Uisce Éireann, operating under the regulatory oversight of 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, 0818 578 578.
