Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022 announced

12 July 2022

Building on the recent announcement on the ‘Framework for the Future Delivery of Water Services

Uisce Éireann welcomes the publication of the ‘Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022’, announced today by Minister Darragh O’Brien, following an engagement process with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Ervia.

The Bill represents the next stage in the process whereby Uisce Éireann will legally separate from Ervia and assume full responsibility for the delivery of all public water services as the standalone national authority for water services. As part of the change Uisce Éireann shall be known by its Irish name, Uisce Éireann, which is in the spirit of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2022, with no change prior to the Bill being enacted before the end of 2022.

The publication of the Bill builds on the recent announcement on the ‘Framework for the Future Delivery of Water Services’, which provides for the voluntary transfer of local authority water services staff to Uisce Éireann. Since its establishment Uisce Éireann has worked closely alongside local authorities in the delivery of water services nationally, making real progress in improving water services for the benefit of communities across Ireland. This Framework represents a significant step forward in how water services are delivered, recognising the importance of a single, national strategic approach supported by strong Government funding commitments and proven technical systems and expertise.

Uisce Éireann will be engaging with local authority staff directly over the coming months with the aim of building a truly national organisation which preserves local knowledge and expertise, building a world class public water service focussed on customer needs, efficient water services, and supporting housing, economic development and job creation across the country.