Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman and I wish her all the best in her role. It is great to see a constituency colleague taking the Chair.

I will address some of the issues raised since I took over this part of the debate. Deputies Sherlock, Whitmore and Cairns commented regarding specific deficits in Mitchelstown, Arklow and Kinsale. Those points are noted. Deputies Connolly and Bríd Smith raised the issue of the public ownership of Irish Water. Certainly, Irish Water is a public utility. The issue of a referendum will hopefully be dealt with in the context of the programme for Government. Once the electoral commission is established later this year, it will be tasked with considering the various referenda scheduled in the programme for Government.

Issues were also raised regarding the situation in Clonakilty by Deputy Michael Collins and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes by Deputy Danny Healy-Rae. Deputy Healy-Rae is correct, and I hope we will meet with that body soon. Deputy Harkin then brought up the matter of one-off rural housing, specifically in County Leitrim. The preference should be to cluster housing developments around village settlements where they will be connected to sustainable water and waste water infrastructure. A pilot for that willow-based evapotranspiration system is being considered. Those are some of the issues which have been raised since I joined the debate.

I thank the Deputies for providing their insights on water and waste water services, particularly in the context of supporting the sustainable growth of towns and villages. Secure, resilient drinking water supplies and sustainable waste water treatment for households and businesses are not just critical to public health, the environment, economic output, biodiversity and quality of life; they are also fundamental to underpinning the growth of sustainable communities. The availability of water and waste water services is a basic necessity. It facilitates growth and development, the successful delivery of housing and the protection of water and our environment.

Since its establishment in 2014, Irish Water has developed long-term approaches to strategically address the deficiencies in the public waste water system. It is optimising investment decisions to ensure that it utilises capital efficiently by making investments that deliver the best possible improvements for communities. Building water treatments plans and upgrading or building necessary sewerage networks will require significant and intensive long-term investment.

The programme for Government commits to funding Irish Water's capital investment plan for drinking water and waste water infrastructure on a multiannual basis and to deliver the €8.5 billion funding package that was committed to for water investment in Project Ireland 2040. Ensuring substantial and sustained investment by Irish Water over several investment cycles is important in respect of addressing existing infrastructural deficits, accommodating population growth and building resilience in the face of climate change. It is also critical if we are to ensure compliance with relevant EU directives, which is an area where Ireland has struggled. I am determined to steer Ireland on a more sustainable path in that regard, and I know we are eager as a people to get it right.

The Government's second-cycle River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 set out new measures and implementation structures to improve water quality in our groundwater, rivers and lakes, estuarine and coastal waters. The new revised third-cycle river basin management plan in 2022, must ensure strengthened protection for Ireland's water quality and that we have a well protected environment and vibrant communities for future generations. By working coherently, we can achieve better environmental outcomes together.

Having adequate water and waste water infrastructure that is properly maintained and enhanced on an ongoing basis is an essential component of delivering sustainable housing for all, as set out in the programme for Government. By ensuring that the right water and waste water infrastructure is in place at the right time, we can meet the housing objectives of the programme for Government. Irish Water is continuing to work closely with local authorities across the country, ensuring investment supports the growth of identified settlements, where these are prioritised in line with local authority development plans.

The significance of the small towns and villages growth programme is that it is led by local authorities from the ground up. This is a key element of the programme because the local authorities have the expert knowledge of the local areas, and more importantly, the elected members decide on how they are strategically planning for the local areas through the development planning process. I know the role of local authorities has been raised. I believe this is significant.

Irish Water intends to make further announcements as it continues its analysis of projects submitted by local authorities. Importantly, Irish Water will also be proposing a continuation of this programme to the CRU for the next regulatory control period, from 2025 to 2029. There is, therefore, a funding plan for progressive upgrades to waste water treatment plants in small towns and villages.

The Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025, published by my Department, provides clear direction to strategic planning and decision-making on water and waste water services in Ireland. The statement's three thematic objectives of quality, conservation and future-proofing are aligned with the national development plan, the national planning framework and the river basin management plan for Ireland. Irish Water's investment plans are framed in this context.

The national planning framework 2018 to 2040 supports proportionate growth of rural towns and a programme for new homes in small towns and villages, with local authorities and public infrastructure agencies providing the serviced sites with appropriate infrastructure, to attract people to build their own homes and live in these areas. Ensuring funding for the provision of water services under the national development plan to the end of this decade will be key in realising both the national planning objectives and strategic outcomes of the national planning framework.

As mentioned by the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, my Department is responsible for the formulation and delivery of funding for the rural water programme. This programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to private domestic water and waste water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water or waste water services. A total of €75 million capital funding has been committed for the programme under the national development plan. This supports significant capital investment to support group water schemes in rural areas, a grant scheme to support rural communities to link the public drinking water and waste water network and financial support in respect of domestic waste water treatment systems and domestic wells.

Under Our Rural Future - Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, my Department has committed to "Review the situation in relation to water services for towns and villages that are not currently on the Irish Water network". The Department is currently preparing a report on this topic for submission to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, later this year. The report will include an analysis of the results of a survey which is currently being completed by all rural local authorities. The purpose of the survey is to establish the numbers, size, national distribution and other environmental impacts for villages and smaller settlements that do not have waste water collection and treatment infrastructure provided by Irish Water. These rural towns and villages are vital hubs for local commercial and social activity and are a part of the wider fabric of Ireland's unique settlement pattern. The Department's initiative is significant in the context of the important work currently under way to finalise the review of the national development plan.

I thank Deputies for their continued engagement on this important topic. This morning's debate has been very useful. This Government is committed to delivering water services across the State, as set out in the programme for Government, and will continue to finance capital and operational investment in Irish Water and rural support programmes to ensure the improvement of services to all parts of the State. I thank Members for their attention and for sharing their views during the course of the debate, which we have found to be helpful and informative as we continue to implement the programme for Government, and in particular, as we finalise our immediate work on the review of the national development plan.

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