Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

If anything, it is quite the opposite, so again, I thank the Senator for raising that with me.

I thank the Senator for raising this issue also. I am aware of the demand for wastewater infrastructure in villages where there is no access to public infrastructure, including Galway, Clare and other areas around the country. The Department builds its strategic water policy and infrastructure delivery programmes around the national planning framework for 2018 to 2040 and the National Development Plan 2021-2030. Investment is delivered primarily through Irish Water, while my Department operates the rural water programme directly. The national planning framework supports proportionate growth of rural towns and villages to attract people to build their own homes and to live in these areas. The programme for Government includes a specific commitment for investment in wastewater services in villages - those not currently provided for under Irish Water's small towns and villages growth programme - including commitments for regeneration of these areas.

In response, the Minister, Darragh O'Brien, announced on 28 April 2022 a funding initiative to enable progressively the development of wastewater infrastructure in villages and settlements that do not have access to such public infrastructure. This initiative, an advance phase of the multi-annual rural water programme 2022-2025, is funded under the national development plan in conjunction with an appropriate local contribution. An allocation of €50 million for the measure has been committed for the period 2021 to 2025 under the plan. The measure was open to all rural local authorities to submit, on a priority basis, up to two applications for funding by the deadline of 15 September 2022. Twenty-three applications in total were received from 13 local authorities, including two from Clare County Council, namely, Broadford and Cooraclare.

The demonstration project model - the pilot scheme, as the Senator refers to it in his Commencement matter - allows for the development of appropriate longer term strategies and protocols and better informs future funding needs for the progressive development of public wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure in villages that are currently without these services. An expert panel is in place to support the evaluation process. In addition to providing an expert perspective, the panel brings independence, openness and transparency to the bids evaluation process. The panel's membership includes departmental, stakeholder and independent representations. The Department has recently completed validation of all the applications for funding. Arising from this, the panel is carrying out a detailed evaluation of all valid applications. Based on the recommendations of the panel, a report will be submitted for consideration and approval by the Minister.

That is where my script ends. I am not sure where the timeline is in that but I will come back and try to get a specific date as to when that evaluation process will be complete.