Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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98. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he is taking to assist communities in improving wastewater infrastructure. [3404/23]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government supports the uptake of Uisce Éireann's Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme 2020-2024, to provide water and waste water growth capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in Uisce Éireann's capital investment plan.

I understand that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities has approved an allocation of almost €100 million for this programme. Across the country Uisce Éireann is working with local authorities to ensure that the investment supports the growth of identified settlements, as prioritised in local authority development plans.

In addition, my Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, using Exchequer funding is delivering improvements to water services, including waste water, in areas of rural Ireland without public water services.

On 28 April 2022 I announced funding for a new measure under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025, for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages and Settlements that do not have access to public waste water services.

An allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan for the new measure, which will focus on areas of most need based on housing and environmental criteria. The first round of funding will follow a demonstration project model approach and will allow for the development of appropriate longer-term strategies, protocols and better inform future funding needs for the progressive development of public waste water collection and treatment infrastructure in villages/settlements that are currently without these services.

The closing date for receipt of applications was 15 September 2022. An independent Expert Panel is currently evaluating all valid applications and based on the report from the Panel, recommendations for funding will be made.