Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
312. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on funding being made available for a scheme to allow local authorities to take-in-charge estates with legacy wastewater infrastructure issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45206/21]
View answerMy Department introduced a multi-annual capital investment programme in 2019 to facilitate the progressive resolution, in a sustainable manner, of developer provided water services infrastructure in housing estates and to enable the taking in charge of these estates by local authorities.
The programme is focused on housing estates which are not taken in charge by local authorities and do not have their water services connected to the public water services network but rely instead on infrastructure, often temporary in nature, which was provided by developers.
In September 2020, I announced allocations for the first round of funding covering the years 2019-2021 inclusive. The announcement followed an independent Expert Panel review of all valid bids. The Panel’s recommendations are based on criteria set out in the Framework document issued to local authorities when requesting bid proposals.
The relevant circular for the first funding cycle is available on my Department's website at the link:
www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/circular-ldpi01-2020-approval-projects-residential-estates-under-developer
The Expert Panel recently examined bids for a proposed second round of funding. I am awaiting a submission from my Department on this and a decision will be made on it as quickly as possible.
The focus of the first multi-annual programme is on estates in towns and villages where the resolution is to connect their water services to the public networks. The programme will also support a number of pilot projects where connection is not feasible in the immediate future. These pilot projects, together with a major study currently being undertaken by Irish Water, will inform future policy considerations on resolving sub-standard developer provided infrastructure with sustainable solutions.
