Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2023
101. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what supports will be put in place to assist Irish Water and local authorities to develop up-to-date sewage treatment facilities in order to facilitate new residential development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3739/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUisce 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.
The Programme for Government commits to funding Uisce Éireann'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 2023, I secured funding of over €1.78 billion to support water 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 rural Ireland, 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.
In April 2022, I announced funding for a new measure under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025 for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages and Settlements that do not have access to public waste water services. An allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan for the new measure. The aims of the new initiative are to provide opportunities to support the provision of housing in smaller villages which are not currently serviced by collective waste water treatment systems, while reducing the risk to public health and preventing water pollution.
Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted directly via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
