Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

360. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps taken to combat the increasingly regular issue of overflowing waste from sewage treatment plants leading to the closure of swimming at beaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25438/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As highlighted in the Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent bathing water quality report released earlier this year, encouraging progress is being made in improving bathing waters across the country. I was particularly pleased to see the continual increase in the number of bathing waters meeting or exceeding the minimum water quality requirements.

It is well known that our waste water networks require ongoing and sustained investment to bring these up to the required standard of treatment; to deal with population growth; and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Under the recently adopted Programme for Government, the Government has committed to continuing the 8.5 billion euro funding package agreed in Project Ireland 2040, which will provide investment in both drinking and wastewater infrastructure by Irish Water.

My Department is also working with local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Service Executive to improve co-ordination of all matters related to bathing waters. This includes improving communications between these organisations and the speed at which bathing water information is made available to the public.

An additional task force comprising of my Department, Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Irish Water is also looking at the particular and complex issues related to protecting bathing water quality in Dublin Bay, including investigating urban sources of pollution and developing improved communication tools. This work will ensure that information on bathing water quality is disseminated to the public in a timely manner and will assist the local authorities in undertaking their functions under the Bathing Water Regulations. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this work will also benefit other areas of the country in identifying and dealing with issues related to bathing water quality.