Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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97. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the plans his Department has to reverse the declining water quality in the Barrow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2723/26]

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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98. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the plans his Department has to reverse the declining water quality in the Nore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2724/26]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.

Ireland's water protection legislation is comprehensive, driven primarily by the 2003 Water Policy Regulations (as amended) which transposes key elements of EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Other national legislation transpose other water protection directives, principally in relation to urban wastewater treatment and agricultural sources of pollution. The Water Pollution Acts (1977-2007) also play an important water protection role. A wider range of other national legislation also include water protection provisions.

A new revised and strengthened national River Basin Management Plan, called the Water Action Plan 2024, was launched by my Department in September 2024. The plan is a requirement of the WFD. The Water Action Plan is a strategic plan that outlines the national policies and high level goals that will protect and restore our natural waters up to 2027, and advances Ireland’s commitment to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD).

The aim of the plan is the identification and implementation of the “right measure in the right place”. The Plan contains targeted measures to both restore and protect all waterbodies, which will be supported by the integrated catchment approach through the development of Sectoral Action Work Plans and Catchment Management Work Plans. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), which is funded by my Department, coordinates efforts among Local Authorities to achieve good or high water quality in our water bodies.

LAWPRO is providing significant support in the Nore Catchment through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund and working closely with Nore River Catchment Trust to maximise collaborative opportunities. LAWPRO's community engagement in 2025 focused on high status objective streams in Muckalee, facilitating water quality training with the local biodiversity officer and Heritage Week events. In addition, LAWPRO catchment scientists will carry out local catchment assessments in 13 Priority Areas for Action in the Nore catchment to identify reasons for declined water quality and identify the actions needed to secure improvements. Currently catchment scientists are working in the Ballyroan, Bregagh and Brownstown-Pococke catchments.

LAWPRO is also working closely with the Climate and Biodiversity team in Carlow County Council on advancing the water quality message in communities though engagements and events. LAWPRO continues to support the restoration of Drummin Bog through the Catchment Support Fund. Awareness raising and engagement will continue in 2026 with a focus on communities in Co. Laois. In addition, LAWPRO catchment scientists will carry out local catchment assessments in 13 Priority Areas for Action in the Barrow catchment to identify reasons for declined water quality and identify the actions needed to secure improvements. Currently catchment scientists are working in the Greese catchment.

The Water Action Plan’s Programme of Measures contains specific actions to address the different pressures on water quality. Measures introduced to help address the impact of agriculture on our water quality include the sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP), while through the National Agricultural Inspection Programme, funding has been provided for an additional 57 local authority inspectors with an aim of carrying out inspections of 4,500 farms per annum. These inspections are targeted where there is a risk of impact on water quality using EPA information.

A Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project “Farming for Water” was launched last year. The project focuses on reducing losses of phosphorous, nitrogen, sediment and, where relevant, pesticides to water from agricultural lands by promoting the adoption of innovative best practice in nutrient management, and measures such as the application of Nature-based solutions. All of these initiatives will contribute to the reduction of agriculture as a pressure on our water quality.

In terms of addressing the physical habitats of natural water bodies a new National Hydromorphology Programme has been established with the long-term vision of mitigating the negative impact of past construction on rivers to restore their “flow, form and function”. Inland Fisheries Ireland, with co-funding from my Department has launched the National Barrier Mitigation Programme, which is being supported by a dedicated Hydromorphology Expert Group, which includes representation from all key stakeholders in this area.

This Government is also delivering a sustainable funding path to further enhance the ongoing significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, including addressing environmental compliance issues such as upgrading Waste Water Treatment Plants. Uisce Éireann has set out an ambitious programme of water infrastructure development and upgrades under its new Strategic Funding Plan, and this will be further enhanced through the multi-billion euro allocation it is receiving under the revised National Development Plan launched last July.

It is important to note that 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 and operational issues is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own Board and internal governance structures.