Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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413. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the latest EPA report detailing problems with 50 wastewater treatment plants nationwide; the reason completion dates for the upgrade of wastewater treatment plans in breach of the urban wastewater treatment directive have been moved from 2021 to 2024; the way in which this will affect the ongoing European Commission enforcement proceedings against Ireland for breaches of the directive; and the capital budget for wastewater treatment plant upgrades in each of the years 2014 to 2024, in tabular form. [15373/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the question relates to drinking water treatment supplies.

Ensuring provision of safe drinking water is a priority for me and for the Government.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s recently published report, “Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2019”, shows that our water supplies are safe. Over 99% of water samples comply with safety limits. There has also been a further reduction in the number of supplies on the EPA’s remedial action list.

However, it is clear that significant challenges remain in delivering the programme of work that Irish Water has been tasked to deliver. The new Programme for Government sets out clear and ambitious commitments, including funding Irish Water’s capital investment plans of €8.5 billion under the National Development Plan.

I recognise the demanding work that Irish Water, along with its local authority partners, is undertaking to address those issues identified in the EPA report and I have arranged a meeting with the management of Irish Water this week to discuss the report and the delivery of the goals contained in the Programme for Government.

In relation to the European Commission’s ‘Reasoned Opinion’, my Department remains in contact with the EU Commission in respect of this case and the delivery of the ongoing reform of water services in Ireland.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The Irish Water Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024 sets out Irish Water’s multi-annual strategic business planning funding requirement of €11bn to 2024, comprised of a €6.1bn investment in infrastructure and assets, including €1.1bn for water quality, and €4.9bn in operating costs.

Further detail in relation to the breakdown of Irish Water's capital investment should be sought from Irish Water. It may be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at Oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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414. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans for the provision of funding for the construction of municipal wastewater treatment plants in Craughwell, Corofin and Abbeyknockmoy, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15394/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Craughwell, Corofin and Abbeyknockmoy are three un-sewered villages in County Galway.

In February 2019 my Department announced the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2020 (MARWP 2019-2021), the composition of this programme is based on recommendations from the Working Group established in April 2018 to conduct a review of rural water services. There is a two-strand approach to the considerations of the Working Group. Strand 1 considered the composition and distribution of funding for the MARWP 2019-2021, while Strand 2 is considering the long-term future resourcing of the rural water sector. The wastewater infrastructure needs of rural villages is an issue that the Working Group is to examine further.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water brought forward proposals for a Small Towns & Villages Growth Programme, as part of its Capital Investment Plan 2020-2024 submitted to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, which will support a number of the National Policy Objectives and National Strategic Outcomes under the National Planning Framework. The Small Towns & Villages Growth Programme is intended to provide water and wastewater growth capacity in smaller settlements which would not otherwise be provided for in its Investment Plan to 2024. Irish Water will work with local authorities across the country in ensuring the investment is made where it is needed most, aligned to core strategies. I understand that Irish Water is currently advancing its proposals on this programme.

In addition to the support the plan gives to sewered locations in urban and rural Ireland, Irish Water is also prepared to support local authorities who wish to seek funding for un-sewered villages through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund of the National Development Plan.

In July 2019, my Department launched the multi-annual Developer-Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme 2019-2021. Bids were sought from local authorities with Developer-Provided Water Services Infrastructure in residential estates in their areas to apply for funding. It is noted Galway County Council included estates in the three villages in the question in its application. An Expert Panel, which includes Departmental, stakeholder and independent representation, has been appointed to examine the bids against the criteria set out in the scheme. I expect that the Expert Panel will make recommendations to me shortly on the suitability of projects for funding under the programme and an announcement on approvals and allocations will be made once that process is concluded in the coming weeks.