Mr. Des Joyce:

Níl go leor Gaeilge agam so I might continue in English. I thank the Senator for his comments on the investment there has been in the Gaeltacht areas in Galway in particular. Overall, the investment plan we are in the middle of will see investment of about €5.3 billion throughout the country. A significant amount of that in the water side of things has been invested in areas that serve Gaeltacht areas. There are about 60 supplies where Gaeltachtaí are served from and more than half of those have seen or will see investment in this investment plan. We are preparing for the next investment plan and looking at the priorities around the country.

From the water side of things we are driven by the legislation that focuses on water quality and quantity. We have conducted a national water resources plan in recent years, which has allowed us to focus on what the greatest needs are across the country, and we have identified where those are. That plan will help us with the investment going forward. It is true the cost of construction projects has gone up. We have seen that and we are not sure whether those costs will come down again but they are having an impact and we are making provision for that within our next investment plan. I cannot say what the extent of that will be. If the costs stay high, we will probably end up getting less. Saying that, we have a good track record of delivering the products we have ahead of us and we would love to continue that into the next investment period, which we are currently working on. From 2025 to 2029 will be the next investment period and, again, subject to the funds being made available, we would look to increase that €5.3 billion we got in the current investment plan.