Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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506. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has noted the recent publication of the European Commission’s water resilience strategy and, in particular, the reference to an updated cost assessment of the extended producer responsibility scheme under the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive; and if he will outline any engagement his Department has had or intends to have in relation to this work. [33851/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently working on the transposition of the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive into national legislation. The deadline for transposition is 30 June 2027. My Department has established a national expert group to assist with the transposition of the recast Directive. This expert group includes key participants from the following organisations: Uisce Éireann, Environmental Protection Agency, Commission for Regulation of Utilities, County and City Management Association, Department of Climate, Energy and Environment, Department of Health, Local Authority Water Programme, Health Service Executive, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Geological Survey Ireland.

The EU Commission published the European Water Resilience Strategy in June 2025 and in that it has indicated that “In the context of the implementation of the extended producer responsibility system referred to in Article 9 of Directive (EU) 2024/3019 on urban wastewater treatment, the Commission will conduct an updated study of costs and its potential impacts on concerned sectors. In addition, the Commission will continue to support Member States in the pragmatic design of national systems with a view to avoiding unexpected or unintended consequences, in particular for the availability and affordability of medicines”.

This study of the impacts has not yet commenced. My Department will continue to engage fully in the work at EU level regarding the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. When the EU Commission finalises this work and if the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive is amended in any way as a consequence, then this will reflected in the transposing legislation, accordingly.

Until then, the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive has to be transposed before 30 June 2027. Therefore, my Department is continuing to work on transposing the recast Directive to ensure the Ireland meets that deadline.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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507. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the status of Galway County Council's applications for the extension of rural water schemes, with specific reference to the Castledaly/Peterswell water scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33858/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The current cycle of my Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) covers the period to the end of 2026. Almost 900 applications for funding for individual projects were received from local authorities across the country.

Galway County Council submitted a number of applications including one under Measure A5 to fund an extension to Castledaly - Peterswell group water scheme.

As part of the application process, an independent Expert Panel is tasked with evaluating all applications received and reviewing each individual project, assessing the information provided in the application against the objective of the programme and make recommendations for my consideration and decision on their suitability of funding.

Given the large number of applications received and in order to allow work to begin on projects as soon as possible, it was decided to take a phased approach to funding approval.

In November 2024, funding of €47.1m for 256 individual projects was approved. The projects being funded will improve water services for households throughout rural areas of the country.

The applications received under Measure A5 were not part of the first phase of funding announced. The Expert Panel have now completed their evaluation of applications under this measure and have submitted their recommendations for my consideration.

I expect to conclude my consideration and make an announcement regarding funding shortly.