Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá an cheist seo faoi thithíocht. On the Deputy's specific question, I can take that up. To follow on from previous Deputies and our colleagues have said, there is work to be done by Irish Water. They have more funding this year than they have had in many years. The national development plan review includes some requests about provision of waste water treatment and increasing capacity particularly in rural towns and villages and also in our regions. I know it is acute in Cork. I met with Deputy O'Connor and we discussed it. I am happy to convene a meeting with Irish Water on it but we are trying to drive on its capital programme. As Deputies O'Connor and Stanton have rightly said, we cannot deliver housing without waste water and fresh water capacity. It is a challenge but one that is surmountable. We will not be left wanting for funds but it is about delivery now. The local authorities also have a role. We will come up with quite an innovative solution in the summer, subject to approval by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

On Question No. 34, which relates to the provision of housing for County Cork, the programme for Government includes a commitment to deliver over 50,000 homes. I will provide the Deputy with the written answer. Cork County Council, which is one of the exemplars on the delivery of social homes, delivered 546 social homes in 2020. In 2021, Covid will impact somewhat but the council is on target to deliver 740 new social homes supported by the Government. The construction status report of the fourth quarter showed a total of 29 projects on site to deliver a total of 569 social homes in Cork county. The Deputy has been a very strong advocate for affordable housing and Cork county will play a leading role in affordable housing for working people.

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