Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy and I discussed the matter previously. I appreciate the challenges the new scheme is creating but it is a great opportunity. There was a meeting with Uisce Éireann and Killarney municipal district council on 24 April. There were discussions ongoing with Uisce Éireann on the matter. The Deputy has raised this Topical Issue matter in light of the Government decision last week.

The Water Services Acts 2007-2020 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Uisce Éireann and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. As the Deputy will understand, the Kilcummin sewerage scheme and the provision of Kerry wastewater services in general are matters for Uisce Éireann in the first instance.

In terms of connection fees, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, is the body responsible for setting water connection charges, as set out in Part 5 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. The Act sets out CRU's responsibility for the determination of the charges, including connection charges, and charging arrangements that apply to customers of Uisce Éireann.

The Government decision last week set out temporary arrangements for the waiving of local authority development contributions and the rebating of Uisce Éireann water and wastewater connection charges for permitted residential development that commences on site within one year of 25 April 2023, which was the date of the decision, and completes not later than 31 December 2025. A refund is to be provided on Uisce Éireann new housing standard connections for 12 months from 25 April 2023. It will not apply to quotable connections, such as network extensions or upgrades to treatment plants or pumping stations. It is an initiative to assist in meeting our annual Housing for All completion targets and is intended to incentivise activation of an immediate pipeline of new commencements, thereby positively impacting housing delivery as quickly as possible.

The scope of the Kilcummin sewerage scheme included installation of a sewer network and the construction of a pumping station. Any standard water or wastewater connections to the Kilcummin sewerage scheme in respect of new residential development that meet the conditions of the new scheme will be entitled to a refund. It should be noted that the Uisce Éireann water and wastewater standard connection charges referenced in this new scheme will still have to be paid up front by developers in the normal manner, with the moneys being subsequently refunded by Uisce Éireann on notification and verification of the commencement of works. In effect, it is a rebate rather than a waiver arrangement.

As advised previously to the Deputy, Uisce Éireann has advised that works are progressing on the sewerage scheme to which he refers. The scheme will provide a new sewer collection system for Kilcummin village and will ensure wastewater from the village is treated appropriately. It will improve water quality in the River Deenagh and Lough Leane and more generally, provide scope to facilitate future development within the catchment, and ensure compliance with EU and Irish wastewater regulations.

The Government is committed to the significant and sustained investment 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, budget 2023 secured more than €1.78 billion to support water services. This includes €1.65 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Uisce Éireann. This development will deliver significant improvements in public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in rivers, lakes and the marine area, making a significant contribution to addressing Ireland’s needs. I will come back in with a supplementary reply.

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