Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

The programme for Government sets out a clear commitment to bringing in an unsewered villages scheme. In 2022, a fantastic investment of €50 million was announced to bring some of these villages that do not have sewage facilities back into use, such as Craughwell and Clarinbridge in Galway. These were fantastic announcements. Three years on, however, we do not have plans, sites or, ultimately, execution. When is the Government going to bring forward the renewed sewerage investment scheme for unsewered villages?

It is important for me to say that right now, in counties like Galway, there is an artificial constrain on land supply. As a result, prices of homes in Athenry, Loughrea and Gort are going up. Our villages have not seen homes built in more than 15 years.

I would appreciate any commitment that can be given to investigate why Craughwell and Clarinbridge have seen no action to date, because we have had the money in place for three years. It is an opportunity to make it happen.

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