Irish Water gets €1.1 billion state boost

State-owned Irish Water received €1.1 billion from the Irish government last year while its parent company Ervia gave €139 million to the exchequer.

Figures published in the multi utility company’s latest annual report, for 2018, show that Irish Water spent €683 million on the Republic’s water supply system last year and received €1.1 billion from the government.

The natural gas networks operator became part of Ervia along with Irish Water in 2015. The government intends splitting the group in 2023, at which point it plans that Irish Water will become a state-owned commercial utility. The separation plan is due to be submitted to ministers shortly.

During 2018 Irish Water earned €982 million in revenue. The projects on which it spent €683 million included renewing the waste water treatment system in Cork Harbour and the Vartry water supply scheme that will serve south Dublin and parts of Wicklow.

Cathal Marley, interim chief executive, said Ervia was committed to the investment in water infrastructure promised in the government’s development plan, Project 2040.

“With the impact of climate change, the forecast increase in population and the pace of economic development, demand for water is increasing,” he said.