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

I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I thank the Deputy for raising it and allowing 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 the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. As the Deputy will understand, the wastewater infrastructure in Ballingeary, County Cork, is a matter for Irish Water in the first instance. 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.

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 proposed investment plans in advance to its economic regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU. The investment plan follows an extensive CRU-Ied stakeholder consultation process and is based on a clearly defined set of priorities. My Department has made inquiries with Irish Water on the issue of wastewater treatment infrastructure at Ballingeary, as raised by Deputy Moynihan. Irish Water confirmed to me that it has received a number of inquiries in recent months from various Deputies, councillors and members of the public regarding the inclusion of the Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh or Ballingeary wastewater treatment plant in its next capital investment plan. Irish Water has commenced a feasibility study on the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant to consider fully the viable options to address the infrastructural issues associated with the plant, its impact on receiving waters and its capacity to cater for growth. This feasibility study report is planned to be completed before the end of 2024. The necessary upgrade works, if approved, would then be included in the 2025-29 capital investment plan.

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 Minister's Department secured funding of more than €1.68 billion to support water services. This includes €1.557 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water. The overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services.

In light of the time left to me, I will take on board exactly what Deputy Moynihan said in regard to the local GAA field, what members of the community are experiencing there on a regular basis and the impact on the environment and the community. I will raise this matter with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, because I do not know if the community can wait until 2025.

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