merrion street

Irish Water has appointed Abtran Ltd, Cork, to operate its customer contact call centre. This decision will create 400 jobs at the Abtran facility at Bishopstown, Cork from July of this year. The contract is for a five year period and was awarded following a competitive tender process.

The call centre will commence operations in July 2013 with up to 100 people to support Irish Water’s metering programme. By mid 2014, the call centre will employ 400 people and provide customer care to approximately 1.6 million domestic and commercial public water users.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan said:

This is good news for Cork. These jobs are greatly needed and together with the 1,600 jobs to be created through the national metering programme, are examples of the economic benefits from a reformed water services sector. Increased infrastructural investment, greater foreign direct investment from water-intensive industries and innovation in water technologies will create further jobs as reform of the water sector is implemented. Irish Water will work closely with local authorities to deliver the water services of the future.

Dr John Tierney, Managing Director, Irish Water, said:

The creation of 400 jobs to provide customer care is a milestone announcement for Irish Water. The setting up of the call centre will support the start of the national metering programme this summer, as well as the development of an Irish Water customer database in advance of the start of domestic billing. Ensuring that we have adequate resources to provide help and support to customers is a priority.

Read the full press release

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