Calls For Business Relief Scheme In Kildare Due To Recent Water Outages

KCC have said that they have no role when it comes to water services in the county, with the responsibility resting with Uisce Éireann.

There have been calls for a water outage business relief scheme amid recent outages in Kildare.

KCC have said that they have no role when it comes to water services in the county, with the responsibility resting with Uisce Éireann.

It follows a recent motion from a Clane-Maynooth councillor who had asked for a business relief scheme and further measures when it comes to water outages in Kildare.

Speaking on Kildare Today, Social Democrats Councillor for Clane-Maynooth MD Paula Mulroe said that water outages have been an issue for many years:

"For many years they've been experiencing water outages and we were told initially it was due to burst water mains in Allen, but now we're being told it's due to low levels in Allen reservoir".

"There were 14 outages between April and May, for 14 out of 48 days, we had some form of disruption."

"It's impossible for businesses to operate, what I was trying to focus on was what the council can control, which is commercial rates."

KCC have said that they have no role when it comes to water services in the county, with the responsibility resting with Uisce Éireann.

KCC also said that it is a matter for the business sector and representative bodies to take up these issues with Uisce Éireann, while also saying that commercial rates are set at annual budgets meetings.

Cllr Mulroe described the situation of KCC having no responsibility when it comes to the operation, maintenance or
provision of water services as a "disaster".

She added that "last week there was planned to be an outage when it was 31 degrees, with an all day outage from 9-5pm, it took me a week to get it cancelled, but we did".

Cllr Mulroe also called for a self-declaration application process, with supporting documentation such as Uisce Éireann outage records, for businesses and facilities to claim relief, minimising administrative burden on applicants.

She expressed her frustrations at the current system, saying that there "isn't a willingness to engage" based on the council's response to her recent council question.

"Legally they're on the right side of the law, but I would argue that there is an ethical and a moral responsibility to your customers."

The full interview can be heard below: