I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 30 together. I thank Deputy Cooney for raising this issue. Clearly the need for investment in infrastructure, particularly wastewater services in our towns and villages, is a priority and a recurring theme that we hear. It is a priority of the Minister, Deputy Browne, of the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, and of mine, in terms of delivering housing in this regard. The Government is committed to continued and ongoing sustained and strategic investment in rural water services across Ireland. As part of this commitment, the Department is investing in rural water infrastructure to deliver improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where Uisce Éireann services are not available. More than €243 million is provided under the National Development Plan 2021-2030, covering the period 2021 to 2025, for investment in non-Uisce Éireann water infrastructure. Included in this is €50 million specifically for demonstration projects to address the requirements of villages without public wastewater infrastructure. In April 2022, under the Department's multi-annual rural water programme, a dedicated funding programme, measure A8, was announced for the wastewater collection and treatment needs of villages without access to public wastewater services. The strategic objectives of the measure are providing opportunities for rural housing development, addressing risk to public health, and preventing water pollution. The measure was designed to support an initial portfolio of demonstration projects that could inform a longer term strategic approach to the issue of wastewater infrastructure in small villages not served by Uisce Éireann. In December 2023, approval in principle of €45 million of funding was given to a number of projects under the programme. I believe this is the programme to which Deputy Cooney is referring. The local authorities are responsible for the delivery of the projects. However, they are required to work in consultation with Uisce Éireann, reflecting the fact that the infrastructure being built will ultimately be owned and operated by Uisce Éireann. Since the funding announcement, the local authorities and Uisce Éireann have jointly undertaken and completed a reassessment of the projects to confirm the most efficient construction options and to provide certainty to the local authorities on the funding contribution required from them for each project. The local authorities concerned have been asked to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place, and responses in this regard have been recently received by the Department. These responses will be considered over the coming weeks and decisions will be made in due course. As I have said, responses have been received from each local authority and there are seven projects under consideration. They have been reassessed in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. The responses have all been received and, as I have said, the Department will be assessing them and a response will be issued in due course. I hope we can get movement on these very important infrastructural projects as soon as possible.

Sentiment score: 0.25

The Deputy is absolutely right that there are two projects in Clare and it is very important that these projects in Broadford and Cooraclare are being considered. I was in Clare the other day and I have to commend the proactive nature of the local authority. It is important that it got these two schemes in for consideration for the €45 million funding. As I have said, there has been back and forth communication between the Department and local authorities, for example, Clare County Council, and responses have been received. They will be assessed. I will certainly be making it a priority that we get an answer on how we proceed and fund these, and how quickly we can get the solutions built in these very important villages and towns.

Sentiment score: 0.30

I reassure the Deputy that there is absolutely no backtracking on the commitment to provide solutions for these rural villages. As I have said, the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, recently brought forward the national planning framework, which gives a clear commitment on regional growth and regional development and allowing people to live in rural parts of Ireland. As I have said, the national development plan will inform funding for Uisce Éireann going forward. There has been a significant increase in funding for Uisce Éireann in recent years and, as I have also said, we have to start seeing results from this. In recent months the Minister, Deputy Browne, announced the establishment of the housing activation office. A key goal of the housing activation office is to unlock as much land for development as possible. This includes some of the urban areas in more regional parts of Ireland. This will remove impediments, whatever they may be, such as infrastructure or wastewater infrastructure. This move will accelerate development for many of our rural towns and villages.

Sentiment score: 0.19