Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)

I can feel the Deputy's frustration with this particular issue. As I said, for the first time ever we have put money into Uisce Éireann, which is ring-fenced money, for it to develop new infrastructure. Since its inception, Uisce Éireann has spent a lot of its time trying to firefight existing infrastructure which was not functioning properly. In fairness, it did not get the proper money to do the job it was set up to do. That is an inherent problem and a legacy we have.

With the agreement of Uisce Éireann, we also have allowed developer-led infrastructure to be used. The developer can build a treatment plant to the specifications of Uisce Éireann, which will take it over and manage it thereafter. That is another option that is coming up.

I do not have timelines for when the reviews will happen from the Minister. I will bring the Deputy's situation and this question back to him to see what can be done. I agree that a small sum of money for towns and villages creates opportunities to build houses for people who can live in their own areas, enhance their villages and parishes and keep the community alive. It allows developers to make houses available for young people who want to live in their own areas. It is a question of getting money to develop the treatment plants that are needed. There is no mystery about them; we just need to get them done. I concur with the Deputy's feelings and will bring them back to the Minister.

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