The programme for Government commits to investing additional capital in Uisce Éireann to support reaching housing targets. We are going to prioritise water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver the capacity to facilitate housing development in our towns and villages. I welcome the recent investment of over €12.2 billion in Irish Water but we need delivery on it. At the moment the respect shown to me and other Oireachtas Members by Irish Water in their engagement is absolutely disgraceful. If I asked somebody to do something or come back to me, I would not expect an answer in a minute but when we are waiting two, three, four or five weeks for a reply it is disrespectful at best. If we are funding it with this level of money, that needs to stop. Towns and villages in counties Carlow and Kilkenny that I represent are hamstrung. They cannot grow because the wastewater infrastructure is not there. I acknowledge and welcome the Minister's recent announcement whereby from January up to 40 houses can be developed in a local area. It will potentially give a lifeline and create a ripple effect in schools, shops and GAA clubs across Carlow and Kilkenny. Now that we have a record level of investment, what is so important is that delivery is there. This is key. The big challenge is that Uisce Éireann has to be able to do this on time and with a sense of urgency. My one ask of the Minister is that he puts a rocket up Uisce Éireann and gets it going. What is happening at the moment is not acceptable. I want to raise housing adaptation grants and housing for older people. They are designed to support older people and those who live with disabilities to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. Whatever their needs may be, the Government has to be committed to providing meaningful assistance. These schemes have been, and continue to be, a great success. We have to ensure our older people and disabled people can live and stay in their homes as long as possible. I acknowledge the significant increase in funding from the Minister. It was €75 million two years ago, €100 million last year and it has now been increased to €130 million, so credit where credit is due. That will make a huge difference to families across Carlow and Kilkenny, including in Ballyhale, Gowran and Ballyragget, and in Dungarvan, all those towns I represent. I implore the Minister to continue to invest in that particular scheme because it makes a massive difference to families right across the constituency.

Sentiment score: 0.31