Uisce Éireann assume direct management of Clare water services

UISCE Éireann have taken direct management control of water services for county Clare, taking over from Clare County Council. 

As of September, Uisce Eireann assumed responsibility for the management of health and safety of water services staff where previously that came under the local authority’s remit. 

Councillors in Clare are now calling for arrangements to be put in place so that the experience and expertise of council workers formerly responsible for the county's water services is not lost.

Clare County Council(CCC) previously had a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Uisce Éireann to provide the water services function in county Clare sine January 2014.

Th council directly managed the service and staff while adhering to key performance indicators and budgets set by the state body under this SLA.

However, following extensive negotiations over the last three years between the Department of Housing Local Government

and Heritage, the Workplace Relation Commission, the LGMA representing the local authority sector, various trade unions and Uisce Éireann, a “Framework for the delivery of water services” was developed in June 2022 and a new contract agreement has been ratified.

Speaking at October's council meeting, CCC Chief Executive Pat Dowling said that what remained for the council was to "work with our employees in water services regarding their transition either to Uisce Éireann, to remain with the council, or to exit their employment."

"We will support our staff in every way possible."

Cllr PJ Ryan called on the council to ensure that a link is maintained with the ground staff in the council, "as regards repairs and maintanance" of the water systems in the county.

"Some of the information those staff have is invaluable, it's really important that some kind of a link is kept with them so that their knowledge is not lost," the Shannon councillor said.

Cathaoirleach Joe Cooney welcomed the comments of Cllr Ryan and others on the matter: "I'd say we all agree 100% with that," he stated.