Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)

The lack of wastewater treatment is highlighted as one of the biggest blockages in the delivery of Government housing targets. In 2022, the Minister announced €50 million under the rural water programme to deliver treatment systems in towns and villages that are not serviced. Three years on, none of these projects have begun. Will the Minister distribute these funds to any local authority that has sites ready to move to design and delivery and which has committed in writing to match funding for the projects. Will he ensure that any shortfall in the overall funding from the scheme will be forthcoming from the Department in future?

See this speech in context