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

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Cuív arís as an gceist faoi chóras séarachais i gCill Rónáin, Inis Mór, Árainn a ardú.

I understand how the lack of satisfactory water services and sewerage systems can affect communities, business and the environment. I take on board and appreciate the frustration of the Deputy in this regard. His last point is significant. It is one on which we will follow up in our inquiries with Irish Water.

The works planned in the second half of 2021 are an immediate priority for Irish Water. Any future wider works for the village can be considered in the context of longer-term planning. We will raise this as a matter of priority. In the meantime, the Government is committed to ensuring substantial funding is provided to Irish Water under the review of the national development plan to continue its programme of upgrading water services. It is important to state this includes rural areas and our islands.

We are making progress on the challenges we face and additional moneys were announced today for ten additional waste water treatment plants under the recovery and resilience fund. There is significant investment required but I appreciate the points raised by Deputy Ó Cuív, particularly on this case. We will respond to him in that regard.

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