Uisce Éireann “neglecting” Swords residents says Graves

Uisce Éireann must repay money owed to Swords pensioner, per local TD Ann Graves.

The Dublin Fingal East TD said that a pensioner constituent of hers has been owed a total of €190 by Uisce Éireann since last November.

She paid Dyno Rod to clear a problem that was the responsibility of Uisce Éireann.

Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, the Sinn Fein TD said “€190 is a substantial amount of money for anyone, particularly for an old age pensioner struggling to pay her bills,” Graves said.

“The woman was so frustrated with Uisce Éireann’s lack of response she contacted me in an attempt to resolve the matter.”

Graves said that she contacted Uisce Éireann on behalf of her constituent and received, in writing, confirmation that a refund was approved on March 19.

“I was delighted to inform my constituent that the money was in the post. She was hugely relieved – still up until today, nothing has arrived in the post.”

“I have had to reengage with Uisce Éireann in another attempt to get them to repay the money. This is not the way to do business,” she said.

Graves noted there were issues, more broadly, with the water supply in swords, specifically the waste treatment plant.

“Since it was upgraded a few years ago it has been a source of ongoing issues for residents,” she told the Dáil.

“Unfortunately, in recent months there has been foul odours coming from the plant. This has impacted greatly on local residents and the local Fingalians GAA club. The club in very near the treatment plant. When there are games or training sessions players, coaches and parenats are all affected by the odours coming from the plant.”

“My colleague Cllr. John Smyth asked Fingal County Council to request report from Uisce Éireann on the matter. Months later we are still waiting for the report.”

Graves pointed to other examples of what she calls “neglect” by Uisce Éireann.

“They have neglected to deal with upgrades to pumping stations, such as Knocksedan in Swords, where raw sewage has spilled into the local housing estate.

“The Minister must hold Uisce Éireann to account and ensure they deal with these major issues affecting residents in Fingal East.”