Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
850. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost to bring water infrastructure in Ireland to best in class levels in the EU by 2025; the cost for the first year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41928/22]
View answerIrish Water is the national water utility since 1st January 2014 with responsibility for providing and developing water services throughout Ireland.
The funding model for Irish Water is set in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive - the overarching Directive in relation to water policy in the EU. The current Water Services Policy Statement sets out the priorities of Government regarding the provision of water services from 2018-2025.
Irish Water’s Strategic Funding Plan (SFP) provides the framework within which these priorities will be achieved and under which Irish Water funding and investment plans are agreed. The Programme for Government is providing the required level of funding to meet the priorities as set out in the SFP. The funding provided allows Irish Water and the wider supply chain to upscale and deliver the critical upgrades and infrastructure over the period of the plan.
In this context, the Programme for Government commits to funding Irish Water's capital investment plan for water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis. The National Development Plan 2021-2030 commits to almost €6bn investment to be undertaken by Irish Water in the period from 2021-2025, of which over €4.5 billion will be Voted Exchequer funded in respect of domestic water services.
In this regard, as part of Budget 2022, I secured funding of over €1.57 billion to support water services. This includes €1.459 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and waste water services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine areas.
While there has been a substantial amount of progress and many key achievements have been delivered, under-investment over many decades paired with a highly fragmented water services operating model, have resulted in ageing and disjointed infrastructure and a number of legacy issues in our treatment plants and networks. As a result, the repair and upgrading of the country’s water and wastewater treatment plants, and water and sewer networks will require a multi-billion euro investment programme that will extend beyond 2025.
