I thank the Deputy for raising what is obviously an important matter. It is an issue of concern both locally and nationally. I appreciate the impact and challenges that shortages and outages of water have on communities around the country where they occur. As the Deputy will be aware, since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at a national, regional and local level, including investment in wastewater treatment plants, returning wastewater safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner and supplying drinking water to the population across the country. That being said, the Government is equally concerned with ensuring citizens receive adequate water services and as such is delivering significant investment in our water infrastructure. In response to the complex challenges facing the water sector, we have developed strategic objectives and supporting actions that will help us address our most critical needs and ensure that we continue to deliver sustainable water and wastewater services for the long term. These key objectives are highlighted in Uisce Éireann's water services strategic plan, which was approved by Government last year. The water services strategic plan presents Uisce Éireann's objectives for the next 25 years and the means by which they will be achieved. It aligns to requirements set out in the Water Services Act 2013. The first water services strategic plan was published in 2015. This was then replaced by the strategic service plan 2050, which was approved by the Minister, Deputy Browne, as I said, last year. Since 2014, Uisce Éireann's capital investment has grown from €300 million to €1.4 billion under budget 2026. This sustained investment will support the delivery of key strategic programmes and projects in our cities and regions to deliver the additional water service capacity required for new housing targets, while prioritising public health and safeguarding the environment. Uisce Éireann is also committed to improving water supply by reducing leakage and carrying out upgrades to the infrastructure to ensure it can obtain maximum output. Much of Ireland's drinking water is lost to leaks before it reaches our taps. To conserve this precious resource, Uisce Éireann has invested €2 billion to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of a leakage reduction programme. It is continuing this work with over €1 billion in further investment up to the end of 2029 to fix leaks and replace pipes to improve service and provide a more reliable water supply. The revised national development plan, which was launched last July by Government, provides record funding of €12.2 billion for the water sector, of which €11.7 billion will be allocated to Uisce Éireann to support the delivery of large projects and critical infrastructure required to deliver 300,000 new dwellings by 2030. Uisce Éireann has said it is committed to delivering a multibillion euro capital investment programme under the revised national development plan. Major projects in every part of the country are being progressed, including two generational investments in the water infrastructure - the greater Dublin drainage project and the water supply project for the eastern and midlands region. Under the NDP, €2.5 billion has been specifically allocated for these projects. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, not only meeting the Government's commitments in the programme for Government but also meeting Ireland's obligations under UN goals. These are very serious issues. Of course, I accept the Deputy's bona fides in raising these matters. Other Deputies have concerns around the country as well. The response times are something that the Minister, Deputy Browne, has raised directly with Uisce Éireann.
Sentiment score: 0.29
The Deputy raised valid points, particularly around the reservoir levels. Obviously, I cannot answer to that specific case in the Deputy's constituency, but he is correct in pointing out that the significant investment of taxpayer's money we are allocating to Uisce Éireann as a utility company to be able to deliver those generational projects, and also to deliver those smaller projects right across the country, is critical to ensuring we are able to develop the quantum of housing required for our people. Only two weeks ago, in Dungarvan, County Waterford, I turned the sod on a water facility, which is a €29.5 million investment. It is being replicated right across the country to build that resilience into the network, as in the wider Dungarvan area, not only for the existing population but for what will be projected going forward. In the context of the €12 billion we are allocating to water in the national development plan, every cent of that will be put to good use because we need to build that resilience into the network right across the country. It is true to say that there has been underinvestment in water over many years and catch-up is required. It is also true to say that Uisce Éireann needs to streamline its processes to ensure that infrastructure is delivered in a quicker manner. It is also true to say, and it has been raised by other Deputies, that communication needs to be better. That has been raised with Uisce Éireann by the Minister, Deputy Browne. For my own part, I have regular engagements with Uisce Éireann, particularly around connection times in relation to the developer-led infrastructure initiative and other matters, as the Minister has too. I assure the Deputy that while Uisce Éireann is there as a body, certainly the political involvement does occur.
Sentiment score: 0.29