Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Clendennen for raising this important issue. Unfortunately, it is still the case that some rural towns and villages across the country require investment in infrastructure, be it in my area of west Cork or the Deputy's area of Offaly. It is something that to which the Government is committed to addressing.

Under section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, it is a statutory requirement for each planning authority to include objectives in their development plan for the provision or facilitation of infrastructure. For new housing in smaller settlements, it is important to consider the type of appropriate infrastructure options that may support growth in these locations. Where no public wastewater network is available, individual homes may be provided with suitable individual wastewater treatment facilities, subject to compliance with the relevant environmental standards and requirements. Further information is available in the EPA's code of practice for domestic wastewater treatment systems.

It will be a matter for the respective local authorities to identify any other infrastructure deficits that may constrain housing delivery through their development plans. The Government is committed to investment in rural water services. As part of this commitment, my Department is investing in infrastructure to deliver improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where Uisce Éireann services are not currently available. More than €243 million is provided under the National Development Plan 2021-2030 over the period 2021 to 2025 for investment in non-Uisce Éireann water infrastructure. In addition, Uisce Éireann has a small towns and villages growth programme which will provide growth capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in its capital investment plan.

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