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Cham call on I Water boost local jobs

Monday, September 24 16:52:03

South Dublin Chamber today called on Minister Phil Hogan to offer financial incentives for householders who directly purchase and employ local plumbers to install water meters.

Last February South Dublin Chamber submitted a document called Water Sector Reform to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. The proposals in the document were based on the recent Government Position Paper and the 2011 Irish Water Phase 1 Report by Price Waterhouse Cooper.

The Water Sector Reform document also calls for the State's proposed new water services utility to bear the cost of phased water meters installation.

"This incentive would boost the local economy and lessen the burden on the State to roll out the metering process. It would also speed the process up and avoid the kind of delays we are now facing," according to Peter Byrne, Chief Executive Officer South Dublin Chamber.

The Water Sector Reform proposal also proposes for the Government's new water company to be operated as a public utility model. This model would mean that the new water facility would be externally regulated, responsible for operation, maintenance and investment in Ireland's water services infrastructure.

"Unless there is value to be achieved with the proposed water utilities project, there is no point undertaking this exercise. Change for change sake is not acceptable as it causes unnecessary expenditure," added Peter Byrne.