Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, to the House.

As the Minister will be aware, and I am sure it is the same in his own county, there is a huge need for investment in local wastewater infrastructure in Galway and in many counties around the country. Indeed, from analysis done by a former senior engineer in Galway County Council, Connacht has a greater need than many other areas in the context of previous investment. In some ways, that is not surprising. It presents an opportunity to focus investment where needed. For example, figures provided in 2017 show that of 1,103 wastewater treatment plants nationally, Connacht had 165, Munster had 408, Ulster - that is, the three counties in the Republic - had 146 and Leinster had 384. As a result, there is a huge need for this infrastructure in Connacht.

I am sure the Minister of State can list off many towns and villages in Mayo that have specific needs. I can do so in respect of Galway. For example, in my area in west Galway, there are Cill Rónán, Inis Oírr, Corr na Móna, Tully, Tully Cross, Cleggan, Claddaghduff, Inishbofin, Rosscahill, Carna and Cill Chiaráin. The people in all of these places could say that they have legitimate claims to schemes. There are other schemes that are in development, such as the one at Roundstone. The scheme relating to Spiddal is the subject of investment.There has been significant investment by Irish Water in areas over the last decade, including in Oughterard, Claregalway, Milltown, Clonbur, Leenane and Letterfrack, to name a few, and that has particularly improved water quality in the Corrib and on the coast.

The programme for Government initiated a pilot scheme for wastewater investment and Galway County Council chose Clarinbridge and Craughwell for consideration under that scheme. Other local authorities chose other locations and the scheme allowed for two per county. Without wanting to take from any other county, County Galway is the second largest county and Mayo is also a considerable size, as are other counties. I think there is a clear need for greater investment in those that have greatest need, in particular the larger counties. With the level of surplus that we have at the moment, giving extra funding to local authorities for wastewater plants is something the Minister could consider. A case could also be made that Galway has four offshore islands and investment in one of those should be considered by the Minister, as well as the pilot scheme, a point I have referenced in the past.

Craughwell and Clarinbridge are substantial towns as they are. When I started first in the county council, there were plans for Craughwell and Clarinbridge was being rolled into a larger scheme, but these did not progress. There is now a clear need to connect up the existing housing estates, schools and businesses in the community, but also to allow for whatever level of expansion is needed to provide for young people up and down the country. There is a clear need for investment and I hope that both Clarinbridge and Craughwell will be chosen in any pilot, and also that consideration will be given to one of the offshore islands as part of the investment in Galway. As I said, there is sufficient funding in the coffers at the moment to allow local authorities to progress projects.