Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Daly for raising this issue today. I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. This allows me the opportunity to outline the position in respect of Irish Water's responsibility on this matter.

The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2017 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Irish Water, and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. As the Deputy will understand, the provision of facilities in Kerry is a matter for Irish Water in the first instance. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water takes a strategic nationwide approach to asset planning and investment and meeting customer requirements. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects and programmes is a matter for determination by Irish Water.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has made inquiries with Irish Water on the issue mentioned by Deputy Daly. Irish Water will have invested more than €80 million cumulatively in water services in Kerry on more than 20 capital projects from 2014 to the end of 2024. These include some of the good projects referred to by the Deputy earlier. These capital projects are targeted at improved quality and capacity improvements. There are currently two Irish Water capital projects in the planning stage, which the Deputy referred to, including the Kenmare wastewater treatment plant and the Kilcummin wastewater network, which will aim to protect the environment and quality of receiving waters, increase capacity, and facilitate future growth.

Irish Water's investment under the national leakage reduction programmes or capital maintenance programmes that are targeted at maintenance and replacement of assets to improve levels of service is not included in that €80 million figure.

In addition to the investment just detailed, there are projects now progressing as part of the small towns and villages programme in Fenit and Knightstown, which the Deputy also mentioned. Irish Water has an allocation of almost €100 million for its small towns and villages growth programme. To date, Irish Water has announced 37 projects across 27 local authority areas. There is also further investment in leakage reduction and mains rehabilitation of €22 million since 2017. More general information on Irish Water investment is available from the capital investment plan explanatory document, which is available on the Irish Water website,www.water.ie.

The Government is aware that significant and sustainable investment is needed to ensure the continued operation, upgrade and repair of the country's water and wastewater infrastructure, and to support economic growth in the years to come. In this regard, as part of budget 2022 the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has secured funding of more than €1.57 billion to support water services. This includes €1.459 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, will support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and will support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine areas.

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