Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
73. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under national strategic outcome No. 9 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30882/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan 2021 - 2030 (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case.
NSO 9 relates to the Sustainable Management of Water, Waste and other Environmental Resources. This NSO highlights the centrality of our sustainable water resources to the implementation of the National Planning Framework to underpin our environmental and economic well-being into the future which is against the backdrop of the deficits in water services capacity and quality arising from past underinvestment. Investment in the water and waste water network will support environmental and economic wellbeing, deal with population growth and the effects of a changing climate.
The relevant sectoral strategies under this NSO are the Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025, Uisce Éireann’s National Water Resources Plan and the Government’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. These strategies play a critical role in identifying the goals and priorities for this area and are therefore critical in informing the investment projects set out in the NDP.
In terms of water management a range of investments are planned and underway. In the period from 2021-2025 almost €6 billion of investments will be undertaken by Uisce Éireann. This investment includes major projects such as the Cork City Water Supply Project, Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade and the ongoing National Leakage Reduction Programme.
Major capital infrastructure programmes across all of Ireland are currently ongoing and investment will continue to be prioritised to improve water and waste water quality through significant capital projects and delivery of national programmes.
Strategic investment priorities to ensure water quality include: works to address issues with public water supplies on the EPA’s Remedial Action List, ending the discharge of untreated sewage at the locations identified under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, and Undertaking waste water upgrades at EPA designated priority areas.
Furthermore, a range of investment relating to the Circular Economy will also be delivered over the coming years.
These are just some of the many investments which will be delivered under NSO 9 in the coming years to support Project Ireland 2040. Further details on projects, by NSO, can be found on the investment tracker on gov.ie/2040.
