Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
799. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on what future infrastructure investment is needed to protect Dublin coastal and river water quality; and the measures he is taking to ensure those investments are made in a timely fashion to protect the rivers and seas from increases in wastewater generated by population growth and increases in housing numbers. [17337/23]
View answerMy Department is currently preparing Ireland’s third-cycle River Basin Management Plan, which will be a strategic government plan that will outline the national policies and high-level goals that will protect and restore our natural waters. The aim of the next plan is the identification and implementation of the “right measure in the right place”, with targeted measures to both restore and protect all water bodies, which will be supported by the integrated catchment approach through the development of catchment management plans by the Local Authorities Waters Programme (LAWPRO). This new revised and strengthened River Basin Management Plan will advance Ireland’s commitment to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
Significant and sustained investment is needed to ensure the continued operation, upgrade and repair of the country’s water and waste water infrastructure and to support economic growth in the years to come. In this regard, as part of Budget 2023, I secured funding of over €1.78 billion to support water and wastewater services. This includes €1.65 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Uisce Éireann. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including in coastal areas, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area, making a significant contribution to addressing Ireland’s needs.
Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures.
