Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Concept Photo

Irish Water to cut 1,200 jobs

The company is looking to save €1.1 billion.

IRISH WATER IS due to reduce its number of employees by 1,200 over the next six years.

Three hundred jobs were cut since last year, making the number 1,500 in total.

A spokesperson for the utility said the measure is part of a larger business plan agreed when Irish Water was set up.

The company is hoping to save €1.1 billion in “operational savings” by 2021.

Business plan

Ervia, its parent company, published its business plan for the utility today, saying that it will “deliver a quality service to customers while addressing the constrained funding model and fragmented service delivery that has had such a damaging effect on Ireland’s water infrastructure over many decades”.

At a meeting today, Ervia’s chief executive Michael McNicholas said that by 2021 the plan commits to:

  • Eliminating the risk of drinking water contamination for 940,000 people
  • Lifting all current boil water notices
  • Reducing leakage from 49% to 38% – saving 180 million litres every day
  • Implementing a national lead strategy to reduce risk of contamination in up to 140,000 homes and an additional 40,000 homes on shared services
  • Ending the discharge of untreated wastewater at 44 locations
  • Significantly increasing water and wastewater capacity to support social and economic development.

As well as the job cuts, the €1.1 billion will be saved through reducing the cost of repairs and maintenance, energy, contracting and overheads.

The spokesperson said most of the 1,500 jobs will become vacant through retirement and vacant roles not being filled.

However, they added that a voluntary redundancy scheme is a possibility.

The spokesperson noted that the utility’s seven year plan, due to be unveiled today, for “transformation of the water sector” will include a €5.5 billion investment.

Fianna Fáil’s environment spokesperson Barry Cowen TD criticised the plan and the loss of jobs, saying “we need proper investment in our water network”.

- Additional reporting Aoife Barry

Read: Irish Water’s getting 300% more calls today than usual

Read: Irish Water says it has saved enough water for everyone in Kerry

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 128 comments
Close
128 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tomred
    Favourite Tomred
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 5:04 PM

    Sean..Respect please

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steven Hillert
    Favourite Steven Hillert
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 12:29 PM

    Very sad.

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Flood
    Favourite John Flood
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 12:40 PM

    RIP

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute deeze nuts
    Favourite deeze nuts
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 12:37 PM

    Maybe from natural causes?

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Murphy
    Favourite Mary Murphy
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 6:59 PM

    I really hope the poor man died from natural causes. At his age he deserves to have passed peacefully. R.I.P

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Squiddley Diddley
    Favourite Squiddley Diddley
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 6:34 PM

    It is if you live in the area. This is a national news service.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teddy
    Favourite Teddy
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 7:55 PM

    @chris finn,I agree, its a strange report.Elderly people die at home,alone , every day.If there is no criminal aspect to this story then its strange that it is being reported on at all.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sonic
    Favourite Sonic
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 8:00 PM

    @Teddy: Are you guys complete Muppets or what? Obviously there are suspicious circumstances or else it wouldn’t be news worthy. As if the journal reports daily passings in nursing homes…

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Finn
    Favourite Chris Finn
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 7:47 PM

    Sorry now but asking why a 90 year old mans death is in the news without a reason is not disrespectful to the deceased. The person who asked the question has nothing against the deceased and would be nothing but respectful. Asking why something is in the news without a reason out of curiosity to ensure that we have all the information is categorically not disrespectful.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute filthypete
    Favourite filthypete
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 10:31 PM

    @teddy if an investigation is required to ascertain nothing untoward has happened or otherwise then the state pathologist will be required. Think about the rumours that’d be doing the rounds if the pathologist turned up and nothing was reported. It’s simply a case of the facts as they are currently known being reported.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam John Bradshaw
    Favourite Liam John Bradshaw
    Report
    Feb 27th 2017, 7:48 AM

    Poor man in his 90′s RIP, cowards who ever they are!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sonic
    Favourite Sonic
    Report
    Feb 26th 2017, 8:03 PM

    So will they remove this comment too…???

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds