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

We have had a debate for more than three hours with 38 contributions, which shows the significance of the issue for people. I thank everyone who has taken part in the debate.

I will touch on a few general points and then I will try to address some of the points that were raised by Members. I want to reflect on the progress has been made since Uisce Éireann was established as Irish Water more than ten years ago. In that time much improvement has been made in the delivery of water services. Thousands of kilometres of new rehabilitated water mains have been installed and leaks have been reduced, although I accept that the leakage rate is still very high. The overall quality of drinking water remains high.

Every day Uisce Éireann treats approximately 1.7 billion litres of water and 1.2 billion litres of wastewater. Uisce Éireann also maintains the source of our water, with more than 1,100 abstractions and more than 1,500 reservoirs connected to tens of thousands of kilometres of pipes. Millions of households and businesses are supplied every day with water and wastewater services, with thousands of treatment plants running around the clock.

We are dealing with a legacy issue of underinvestment in water services and infrastructure in Ireland. The scale of remedial works necessary in our water and wastewater system will take a number of years and investment cycles to fully resolve. We are putting substantial funding into Uisce Éireann. The funding plan for Uisce Éireann for 2025 to 2029 was approved in November 2024 and sets out the capital and operational costs to be incurred by Uisce Éireann over a multi-annual period. The strategic funding plan has a total funding requirement of €16.9 billion, of which €12.1 billion is voted Exchequer funding. The strategic funding plan has a capital investment requirement of €10.2 billion, of which €9.8 billion is voted Exchequer funding. To meet increased housing targets, Uisce Éireann will require additional funding on top of the strategic funding plan over the next five years, which will be ring-fenced for housing and growth. This additional funding will be considered as part of the NDP review, which is due to be completed in the middle of the year.

Once again, I put on record that there will be no introduction of a household water conservation charge. It is not in the programme for Government and it will not be introduced. That is categorical. That is once again being put on the record.

First, I want to deal with some common general themes that emerged when I looked through the points Members raised and then I will try to respond to the specific matters raised by the Members who are still here.

Communication was a common thread. I acknowledge the great work done by staff on the ground in Uisce Éireann. They are doing great work. It is coming across that Members want to look at the whole issue of communications, both nationally for Oireachtas Members, and for public representatives such as councillors and the general public. That is something the officials in the Department and the Minister, Deputy Browne, will follow up on.

Another issue that was raised was water softeners. It came up on numerous occasions that it should be available at source. Deputy Healy and others referred to pipework in private houses in an area. Such houses are on private land but blockages are something we will take up with Irish Water, in addition to water softeners. Speakers also raised the key role that Irish Water will have to play in the provision of housing.

Many constituency issues were raised. I ask Members to write to the Department and to the Minister and to raise those specific points. Department officials are watching the debate, as is the Minister while I am here. Quite a number of speakers raised issues relating to the elderly, which is within my remit in both the health and housing areas. I urge Members to write to us in that regard.

Deputy Catherine O'Callaghan referred to Carlow. It is a matter she already raised with the Minister, Deputy Browne. That is something we will examine.

Operational matters relating to water services lie with Uisce Éireann. The Government is the shareholder of Uisce Éireann, through the Minister for housing and the Minister for public expenditure and reform. They report in terms of oversight from the Government and overall development matters, but the operational matters themselves lie with Uisce Éireann.

We want to fund Uisce Éireann. It is hugely important that it continues to upgrade the water network. Deputy Heneghan referred to the fact that it is a project that will take time. Progress has been made. One of the points that also came across is that the benefits are evident.

Deputy Malcolm Byrne made reference to the Arklow sewerage network, which is being upgraded, both in terms of the impact it has had and more particularly the interaction with Irish Water staff on the ground, and how positive that was.

The key point is that the Government recognises that the wastewater networks require ongoing sustained investment to bring them to the required standard of treatment to deal with population growth and to adapt the impact of climate change.

Deputy Ó Muirí also made reference to sewage in Dublin Bay. I very much take that on board. Deputy Ward raised the same issue. It is important that we have a process here, involving a structured body to upgrade the old water networks and to provide new networks as well. We want to continue to ensure that Irish Water can carry this out and keep it going. I referred to the strategic plan and the funding we are giving in that area.

A number of changes were introduced for Uisce Éireann under Housing for All, including the establishment of a self-lay accreditation scheme to facilitate developers in providing water services infrastructure, provided agreed standards are met.

The scheme accredits experienced contractors to deliver new water services infrastructure on public roads for housing developers. It was launched 18 months ago, ahead of schedule. Uisce Éireann introduced a first mover disadvantage scheme in November 2023. This can occur in areas of new development where a first mover developer triggers new network infrastructure and incurs the costs associated with connecting their lands to the existing Uisce Éireann network. The disadvantage may arise if the developer funds new network infrastructure as part of their connection and these assets have wider network benefits in the future. This can be a great disadvantage for the developer as subsequent developers connecting may benefit from the connection of assets put in place at the cost of the first mover developer.

From November 2023, developers impacted by first mover disadvantage may qualify for a rebate under this scheme. As part of Uisce Éireann's commitment to supporting growth and development, it published the annual water supply and wastewater treatment capacity registers. The purpose of these capacity registers is to assist planning authorities in their forward planning activities. Capacity of the water supply changes based on the availability and demand of existing customers. The purpose of the water capacity register is to provide an indication of the available capacity to support development. Sufficient funding has already been secured for Uisce Éireann under its new strategic plan. The Government is delivering a sustainable pathway for further enhanced and ongoing significant improvements in our public water and water services. Conservation of the water supply is also a key policy for the Government. I thank all those who have contributed today and I note the work being done on the ground every day by Uisce Éireann and its staff to maintain our water service and bring improvements to it. Improving and strengthening our water infrastructure is vital and the Government is committed to ensuring substantial funding is provided to Uisce Éireann to deliver on its mandate.

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