Irish Water Creates Over 2,000 Jobs

Guaranteed jobs for small local businesses, graduates and long term unemployed Mr Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, has announced that at least 25% of the 1,600 jobs created directly by Irish Water's domestic water metering programme will be given to people from small local businesses, the unemployment register and school leavers, graduates and apprentices.

The metering programme starts in July 2013 and will run until September 2016, during which time over one million meters will be installed in homes across the country.

Mr Hogan said: "Irish Water's metering programme is an ambitious plan by international standards. This programme will create up to 2,000 jobs with a particular focus on ensuring that skilled workers are given an opportunity to re-enter the workforce and for small businesses to benefit."

"Irish water will install 27,000 meters per month, which is a challenging target but deliverable by having local crews working on the ground. The commitment is to focus on developing a world class national water infrastructure that meets the needs of a growing population in a socially inclusive and sustainable manner."

Irish Water is currently tendering for the provision of over one million meters and boundary boxes, as well as regional management contractors to run the metering programme and a customer call centre. It is expected that contracts will be awarded in May.