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

I once again thank Deputy Moynihan for raising the question on wastewater treatment infrastructure in Ballingarry, County Cork. The Deputy will understand that the progression of individual wastewater treatment plants and infrastructure is a matter for Irish Water and I can assure him the Government is committed to ensuring that substantial funding is provided to Irish Water.

The programme for Government commits to funding Irish Water’s capital investment plan for water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis. The national development plan 2021-2030 commits almost €6 billion in capital investment by Irish Water in the period 2021-2025, of which more than €4.5 billion will be voted Exchequer funding for domestic water services. In regard to overall investment, the programme for Government states that the Government will fund Irish Water's capital investment plan for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis and deliver the €8.5 billion funding package committed in Project Ireland 2040. This overall funding commitment is key to addressing Ireland's shortcomings in water and wastewater infrastructure.

The Department is making progress on the challenges it faces and the Government will continue to deliver strongly on the commitments in regard to water services contained in the programme for Government. It may be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. I will take back to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, Deputy Moynihan’s frustration that the Minister is not here this evening to take this query, as well as its nature and the urgency attached to it. I thank the Deputy for raising it.

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