Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of the recent flooding in north Louth and Dundalk. It is of both local and national importance. I appreciate and fully share the Deputy’s concern for the communities and businesses affected by last week’s flooding event.

I am answering this question on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, but his Department has no function in regard to flood relief infrastructure. I have been informed by my colleagues in the OPW that following the flooding experienced in Louth last week as a result of heavy rainfall, the OPW and Louth County Council are working to progress flood relief schemes to protect at-risk properties in north Louth and the Cooley Peninsula from such events in the future. The OPW has primary responsibility for flood relief schemes. I understand that assistance is being provided to those affected by the flooding through the humanitarian assistance scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection and the emergency business flooding schemes for small businesses, sports clubs and community and voluntary organisations administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

On associated wastewater and storm water infrastructure, the Deputy will appreciate that, since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has had statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services, including the planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects are matters for determination by Uisce Éireann. Uisce Éireann is held to account in this role by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, as the environmental regulator. The EPA recently released its urban wastewater treatment report for 2022 and this highlights that, while many challenges lie ahead, Uisce Éireann is making progress and improving compliance. The draft river basin management plan reports the number of water bodies showing that the actual impact from wastewater has now decreased.

Uisce Éireann has informed me that investment is continuing in wastewater infrastructure in north Louth and Dundalk to support future growth and development, meet current demand and support the protection of the local environment, with upgrade works ongoing on wastewater treatment in Drogheda and the preparation of a drainage area plan for north Louth to identify drainage problems impacting the public and the environment followed by the identification of solutions to remedy these.

As part of budget 2024, the Minister secured funding of €1.6 billion to support Uisce Éireann in delivering water services. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services. The national development plan commits to almost €6 billion in capital investment, to be undertaken by Uisce Éireann from 2021 to 2025, and over €4.5 billion will be voted Exchequer funded in respect of domestic water services.

This sustained investment will improve capacity, performance and, in particular, the resilience of water services. Many serious challenges will remain, which will take investment. The EPA has identified the priority areas where Uisce Éireann should target its available resources to deliver improvements where they are most needed and will bring the greatest environmental benefits.

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