Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am familiar with Carrigaholt. I spent two years in Irish college in Carrigaholt and I know it well. Many of my constituents holiday there on a regular basis. It is a lovely part of Clare.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and providing me with the opportunity to address the matter.

The programme for Government supports the uptake of Uisce Éireann's Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme 2020-2024. The programme provides water and wastewater growth capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in Uisce Éireann's capital investment plan.

I understand that funding of almost €100 million has been approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities for the programme. Across the country, under this programme, Uisce Éireann is working with local authorities to ensure that the investment supports the growth of identified settlements, as prioritised in local authority development plans.

In addition, the Department's multi-annual rural water programme, using Exchequer funding, is also delivering improvements to water services, including wastewater, in areas of rural Ireland without public water services.

On 28 April 2022, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, announced funding for a new measure under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025, for the wastewater collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services. An allocation of €50 million, which the Deputy has already identified, has been committed under the national development plan specifically for this measure to address this issue.

The principal aim of the new measure is to address environmental and public health issues in locations of need across the country on a national, prioritised basis. The measure provides an opportunity for local authorities to take an innovative approach with a series of demonstration projects being considered.

Local authorities are working with communities and other stakeholders to facilitate progressively providing waste water infrastructure needs of rural villages-settlements in parts of rural Ireland not currently serviced by Uisce Éireann. Having this dedicated approach will allow for projects to begin now, making the village-settlement a better and more attractive place to live.

The closing date for receipt of applications was 15 September 2022. It was a matter for each local authority to decide which villages or settlements within their functional area meet the criteria set out in the framework for the measure. The Deputy has already referenced that Clare County Council has submitted applications for Broadford and Cooraclare.

The demonstration project model supports a longer-term strategic approach to this issue. This approach also informs potential future funding needs of villages in need of public wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure in villages that are currently without these services, including villages such as Carrigaholt.

I appreciate the Deputy's interest in wastewater in areas of rural Ireland - he referenced Carrigaholt and Doolin - without public water services and specifically his interest in these services for Carrigaholt, County Clare. I have listened carefully to what the Deputy has said and I want to assure him that it will be kept in mind in the context of the evolving new measure.

While the Department has responsibility in ensuring the overall funding for Uisce Éireann in respect of public water services and for the provision of funding under the rural water programme, including for the new measure, the prioritisation of individual projects is a matter for the local authority, which is Clare County Council.

An independent expert panel is currently evaluating all valid applications under the measure. The panel will provide a report on the applications and upon receipt, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, will give consideration to this, and a decision on funding for each application will be made.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for me at this stage to give a commitment regarding locations that may be identified or selected for advancement in the future.

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