*Cllr Pat Hayes. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
Lines of communication need to improve as discussions continue on the transfer of local authority workers to Irish Water.
Negotiations are to re-commence in mid October on the Government’s plan to bring all water services in the county under one national provider.
This will see an approximate 3,200 water service workers employed by local authorities transferred to work for Irish Water.
Speaking at the September meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) criticised the lack of updates provided to elected members on the discussions. “We’re not hearing any reports of significance but we believe a lot of work is going on behind the scenes. It is critically important that we hear what is happening”.
Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling said he communicated “very briefly” on two occasions in the past number of weeks with water services.
Hayes responded, “We want you to continue to fight on behalf of our workers. We need to know before a decision is made.
Strong communication with all staff has been stressed at any meetings with Irish Water and the Department of Housing, Director of Service, Carmel Kirby outlined. “There hasn’t been detailed outcomes at this point. The smoothest way for this transition to proceed is by communicating with everyone”.
A previous deadline of July this year had been set by the government to identify a framework for the plan to transfer the workers still employed by these local authorities. The Department of Housing have confirmed that negotiations will resume next month.
