Replies to Parliamentary Questions for 6/4/11

Question Nos. 10, and 20

Chun an Aire Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil:
To the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government:

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the date on which he will establish Irish Water to take over water investment maintenance programmes in local authorities.
– Seán Crowe

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the planned new State company Irish Water will be sold off as part of the Government agenda to privatise State assets.
– Mary Lou McDonald

For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 6th April, 2011.

Ref Nos: 6911/11, and 6917/11

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. O’Dowd)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 20 together.

The Programme for Government proposes the establishment of a new State-owned water utility company to take over responsibility for managing and supervising investment in water services infrastructure and to manage the domestic water metering programme.

The Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the European Union and International Monetary Fund commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility and it is my intention to proceed with carrying out this study as a matter of priority.

The transfer of functions from local authorities to a new water utility will require significant legal and administrative changes. The independent assessment will examine the proposed role and functions of Irish Water, the approach to assigning these functions to the company from the 34 local authorities and the optimal organisational structures for the company. Critical issues such as governance, value for money, financial viability and service to customers will be key factors in determining the optimal structure of the company. It is envisaged that the independent assessment will be completed by October this year. I will be preparing proposals for Government consideration toward the end of this year and I will provide further information on a timescale for the establishment of the company following Government consideration of the matter.

Irish Water will be a State–owned company and there are no plans for its privatisation. The structures and indicative staffing complement required for Irish Water, and the consequential effects on staffing at local authority level, will be considered by the independent assessment and will be influenced by decisions on the functions to be assigned to Irish Water. The Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 contains specific provision for re-deployment arrangements for local authorities both within the local authority sector and to other public sector organisations.

Question No. 23

Chun an Aire Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil:
To the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government:

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce a grant or other financial support for homeowners who are on low incomes or dependent on social welfare income to carry out radon tests on their home.

– Seán Crowe.

For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 6th April, 2011.

Ref No: 6910/11

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. P. Hogan)

The extent of the radon problem in Ireland has been assessed by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) over a number of years. Between 1992 and 1999, the RPII carried out a comprehensive National Radon Survey to measure radon concentrations in Irish homes. The principal objective was to assess the scale of the radon problem and, in particular, identify areas at higher risk of radon contamination above the National Reference Level of 200 becquerels per metre cubed (Bq/m3).

Through the RPII’s radon advice and awareness work, my Department supports efforts to raise public awareness of the risks posed by radon in the home. Householders, particularly those in known high radon areas, have been strongly encouraged by the RPII to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake remediation works where necessary.

At present, there is no funding available through my Department to carry out radon tests. The cost of a household radon test is typically around €55. Further information is available on the RPII website www.rpii.ie.