Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
423. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funds or grants available to housing estates that wish to upgrade their sewerage treatment plant or percolation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24489/23]
View answerI understand that the Question refers to Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure in housing estates.
These housing estates have not been taken in charge by local authorities or do not have their water services connected to the public Uisce Éireann network, instead relying upon Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure, commonly referred to as "DPI".
It is important to say that DPI is privately owned infrastructure built by the original developer of the estate. DPI is predominantly a legacy issue, mostly built between the 1990s and mid-2000s.
Before responsibility for the maintenance of housing estates is handed over to public authorities (local authorities and Uisce Éireann), it is expected that the developments are completed as set out in the planning permission granted including that all infrastructure (roads, lighting, water services etc) is at an acceptable standard.
Under the National Development Plan, for the period 2021-2025, funding of €68.5 million has been allocated to address legacy water services issues. This includes €56 million for the Multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme which was launched by my Department in 2019.
In September 2020, a first round of funding under the programme was provided to local authorities to fund projects to resolve DPI in 26 housing estates across the country benefiting almost 950 households. Work is already completed on some, with estates now taken in charge by the local authorities concerned, with work ongoing on the remainder.
To build on the progress made under the programme, local authorities were asked to make further applications for funding for priority projects in their area. These applications have been received and were considered in detail by an independent Expert Panel. The Panel was established and is in place, tasked with evaluating all applications for funding under the programme.
I expect to be a position to announce further funding for specific projects shortly.
