Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
171. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied with the progress made to date in the upgrade of 21 wastewater treatment plants announced on 30 September 2021 under the small towns and villages growth programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15990/23]
View answerUisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects and programmes is a matter for determination by Uisce Éireann.
The Programme for Government supports the uptake of Uisce Éireann's Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme (STVGP), which will provide growth capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in Uisce Éireann’s capital investment plan.
I understand from Uisce Éireann that an allocation of almost €100 million for this programme was approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. Uisce Éireann is working with local authorities across the country in ensuring the investment supports the growth of identified settlements where these are prioritised in line with the local authority development plans.
The programme was launched in the summer 2021 with the selection of 15 projects followed by the selection of an additional 21 projects in September 2021. As of the end of 2022 a total of 46 wastewater treatment plant upgrade projects have been selected under the STVGP.
The delivery of capital projects is not dependent solely on funding and resources. Uisce Éireann must comply with the planning and consenting regime and as a body in receipt of public funding, with the relevant requirements of the Public Spending Code.
While Uisce Éireann allocates the necessary funding and resources to projects, it takes on average around 5-7 years to bring a wastewater project through from selection to completion.
Uisce Éireann continues to work with local authorities across the country in ensuring the investment supports the growth of identified settlements where these are prioritised in line with the local authority development plans.
Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
