Oifig an Ard-Rinai An Roinn Coimirce Sésialai Office of the Secretary-General Department of Social Protection Aras Mhic Dhiarmada Aras Mhic Dhiarmeda, Srdid Stérais Store Street Dubiin + Balle Atha Clie @ (01) 7043000 B: (01) 7088721 Robert Watt Secretary Gen Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Government Buildings Upper Merri Dublin 2 LA November 2014 Dear Robert Re: Water Conservation Grant During my discussions with you over the recent period on the development of the revised approach by Goverment to domestic water charges { made it clear that we will require these additic put in place for the WCG. ‘There are two significant issues that need to be borne in mind: © Resourcitig the implementation/delivery of this measure imposes an additional burden on the department. 1 will need to put a project team in place to begin this work : cmediately and to drive it forward over the next year. This cannot be resourced with existing complement of ISD/ business staff available to me as I am not in a position to delay the other critical development work that is already in train to en: that our payments systems, activation services and other service provision ere supported maintained. Resourcing the processing/payment of WCG applications in 2015 and beyond needs to be addressed and cannot be accommodated from within the existing resource/admin budget allocatione The system required for WG processing and payments has to be a new development iven the universal application of WCG entitlement to a far wider client base then our txisting scheme bases. As you low its critical that we advance this project quickly er rdet to have the required systems in place and operational by end-Q2 2015 so that payments of the WCG can begin in early Q3 2015. Tihs will require us scoping out the systems development required, before the end of 2014 and going to the market immediately thereafter to procure it. We are working with colleagues in the Department of Environment, Community and Local ye Minment to determine the precise scope of requirements for the process. We ate also due Cera with representatives of Irish Water atthe end of the week inthis regard, We should be bette placed following these meetings to identify cur precise requirements for 2015 and beyond in this area Ata minimum, however, we expect thet the requirements will include the following: «consultancy, extemal service provision and legal and procurement costs statfing of 2 project team to oversee/manage the development © postal charges ~ to cover the cost of writing to all households + dvertising charges — press advertisements fo advise people how to apply for WCG. «an administrative team to support the application and payment process. The size of this administrative team is contingent on the application and payment delivery pathway that is putin place. As you know 1 am determined that this is as automated fs possible with online application and payment delivery confined to elestroni funds trensfer (EFT) which is consistent with our payments strategy and is the most cost effective method of payment delivery. If we are required to go beyond this, however, then the costs of the administrative supports required will escalate, ‘Ag Accounting Officer | would ask for a speedy engagement with and early commitment from your department to ensure that the necessary additional resources are in the 2015 Estimate and for future years for this department. Lwould once again reiterate that 1 do not have scope within the existing allocation to meet this new and additional demand. ‘Yours sincerely z 3 etbeor - ‘Niamh O'Donoghue Secretary General ce, John McCarthy, Secretary General. DECLG