Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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205. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional funding under the National Development Plan will be allocated to address the absence of wastewater treatment infrastructure in rural villages and settlements, such as in Galway east, where such deficits are preventing sustainable residential and economic development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16346/25]

Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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206. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider including a specific provision within the National Development Plan to support rural housing in areas where there is a long-established tradition of building homes using private water supply and on-site wastewater treatment, without reliance on public infrastructure other than electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16347/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.

The Programme for Government sets out the clear ambition to prioritise the delivery of transformative, critical and growth-enhancing infrastructure over the next 5 years.

To deliver on these objectives, the Government has prioritised an early review of the National Development Plan, to be completed in July 2025. The Review will be guided by the prioritisation set out in the Programme for Government, notably prioritising investment in housing delivery, water supply, energy grid capacity, transport connectivity and health digitalisation. As part of my Department's role in coordinating the Review, sectoral Ministers will have the opportunity to identify sectoral priorities when they are making submissions for funding.

The prioritisation of investment in water supply, grid capacity and transport connectivity is intended to enable the delivery of additional housing supply across the country, including in rural communities. In addition, the prioritisation of investment in our critical economic infrastructure will enhance the country's economic development and competitiveness, while a climate assessment of programmes receiving NDP funding will help to ensure that the allocation of capital funding is conducive to sustainable development.

If further information is required on water supply and wastewater treatment, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for overseeing water financing and planning policy and may be able to provide a more detailed response.