Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is the State's problem and the State has a role to play in resolving it. I agree with the Deputy on that.

I am advised that Spanish Point is regarded as unsewered and relies on private individual systems, such as septic tanks, as there is no public wastewater treatment plant or public sewerage present.

Last year, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, announced the commencement of a new funding scheme targeting the wastewater collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements without public wastewater access, such as Spanish Point. That is something that I strongly support because any settlement should have decent wastewater facilities and should be able to have some level of natural expansion in terms of new housing and population, even if it is very small. I am told it is open to these areas to bid to be included in this programme or otherwise to receive funding for the provision of wastewater infrastructure, and Uisce Éireann will work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and local authorities to support the development and implementation of an appropriate solution.

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