Dr. Edmond O'Reilly:

In terms of the obstacles, there are a number of settlements that we serve across the Gaeltacht area. As mentioned, we have wastewater treatment plants in 44 of those, 27 have capacity and 13 are currently constrained. We have plans in place to bring forward upgrades in those areas. The Senator mentioned Inis Mór and Cill Rónáin. We have assets on Cill Rónáin and we are currently undertaking a study on the works that are required to address the issues there based on recent discussions we have had on that over recent months. We are looking at that from a Cill Rónáin perspective.

More generally, we would consider areas where there are not wastewater assets to be unsewered. It is not within Uisce Éireann’s remit to invest in unserviced or unsewered areas. That would fall under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The multi-annual rural water programme is the primary lever for providing investment in such areas and Uisce Éireann is working very closely with local authorities and the Department on any of those schemes that are being proposed at present.