Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to outline the position relating to Irish Water's responsibility for this matter, which I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 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 wastewater infrastructure in Owenahincha 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 are a matter for determination by Irish Water. I would like to see exactly what approach it will take to planning investment and meeting consumers' requirements in the Deputy's area because when he talks about that little piece of heaven, I would like to think it is not a desktop exercise. There is a need for an upgrade of wastewater.

Irish Water's capital investment plan runs until 2024 and is prepared within the regulatory framework, which is set out in legislation. Under this framework, Irish Water submits its investment plans in advance to its economic regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in Ireland, CRU. The investment plan follows an extensive CRU-Ied stakeholder consultation process and is based on a clearly defined set of priorities. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has made inquiries with Irish Water on the issue of wastewater treatment infrastructure at Owenahincha, as raised by the Deputy. I am informed Rosscarbery-Owenahincha is licensed by the EPA and is a single agglomeration with a primary discharge. There are separate networks but the treatment takes place at the same location. I am also informed that delivery timelines for the Rosscarbery and Owenahincha sewerage scheme cannot yet be confirmed. It is disappointing that there is no timeline when it is a time-sensitive matter. If we even knew the scheme was in a planning timeline and was on the books, that would be good. However, it is not included in the current capital investment plan. The project will be considered again as part of the development of the next revenue control period from 2025 to 2029. In the meantime, a water quality assessment is planned for 2023 to determine any impacts of the discharge on the receiving water. The wastewater network will also be surveyed to assess any works required to reduce the impact on infiltration.

The Government is aware that significant and sustained 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 2023, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has secured funding of over €1.69 billion to support water services. This includes €1.57 billion in respect of domestic water service provision by Irish Water. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland and deliver improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine areas.

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