Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
73. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional funding not already committed that was allocated in the July stimulus to small sewerage schemes in villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28421/20]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level.
The Government’s July Stimulus Package included €43m capital funding for investment by Irish Water in the leakage reduction programme and capital maintenance works. This investment is funding works by Irish Water in all 26 counties across both urban and rural areas.
Irish Water is subject to independent economic regulation by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Irish Water brought forward proposals for a Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme, as part of its Capital Investment Plan 2020-2024 submitted to the CRU, which will support a number of the National Policy Objectives and National Strategic Outcomes under the National Planning Framework. The Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme is intended to provide water and wastewater growth capacity in smaller settlements which would not otherwise be provided for in its Investment Plan to 2024. I understand from Irish Water that an allocation of €97.5m for this programme was approved by the CRU.
Further detail in relation to the breakdown of Irish Water's capital investment should be sought from Irish Water. It may be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at Oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
