Mr. Michael O'Leary:

To respond to Deputy Casey's question about rural development, Irish Water is committed to the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, which is funded by the Government and assists with local infrastructure and housing in small towns and villages. The Irish Water draft investment plan contains a proposal for small towns and villages that is aimed, in particular, at smaller settlements to provide water and wastewater infrastructure. We will work closely with local authorities to identify where that investment is needed.

Through the national water resources plan, our intention is to visit every local authority to address water and wastewater issues with the local developer and the local planners to determine what is needed and where it is needed. Working with them and using the funding through LIHAF and the small towns and villages programme in the investment plan, we intend for there to be targeted improvements in infrastructure to facilitate the local housing and development which the Deputy is seeking.