Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the means by which he plans to prioritise water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver the capacity to facilitate housing development in our towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24655/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Uisce Éireann 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 Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures. Under Section 7 of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, I have no function in such matters.

The Programme for Government commits to support the uptake of Uisce Éireann's Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme (STVGP), which will provide growth capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in Uisce Éireann’s capital investment plan. It commits to ensuring that Uisce Éireann prioritises the delivery of the Programme, and expedites and expands the Programme in order to deliver wastewater services to rural towns and villages.

Uisce Éireann continues to work with local authorities across the country in ensuring the investment supports the growth of identified settlements where these are prioritised in line with the local authority development plans. The Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme is one of a number of Uisce Éireann projects and programmes that support growth in rural settlements

In addition, as outlined in the Programme for Government my Department will continue to implement the scheme targeting Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs for villages and settlements without access to public waste water services.

Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with enquiries from public representatives and can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.