Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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242. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which the provision of utilities such as electricity and water to new houses is currently limiting progress in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27146/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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243. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent, if known, to which delays in the provision of utilities such as power and water to various building sites appears to delay progress; if immediate steps will be taken to ensure that such issues are addressed forthwith; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27165/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.

My Department does not have responsibility for electricity supply and does not hold information in relation to water along the lines set out in the question. 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 scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Irish Water, and is approved through its own internal governance structures.

Irish Water is committed to supporting the delivery of housing including under ‘Housing for All and are providing my Department with updates containing key information on how they are supporting the housing plan by providing water services to new homes, key public services and businesses. Irish Water are supporting the delivery of ‘Housing for All’ through a number of actions, including the timely delivery of housing connections.

In this regard, to be of assistance, Irish Water has provided the following information in relation to 2021:

- Pre-connection enquiries:Irish Water gave positive responses to 2,962 pre-connection enquiries associated with 125,914 housing units. 115 enquiries associated with 252 housing units did not meet the criteria for approval 

- Connection offers: Irish Water issued 4,515 connection offers in 2021, associated with 32,404 housing units. 170 connection offers, associated with 271 housing units, did not meet the criteria for approval. 

- Connection agreements: Customers executed connection agreements for 3,365 offers, associated with 26,446 housing units. 

- Connections: Irish Water completed 3,046 connections to water infrastructure associated with 18,417 housing units.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.