Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
153. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is a matter for local authorities to apply for funding for constructed wetlands or will Uisce Eireann announce which smaller towns, population centres and villages will get their wastewater treatment issues resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4564/26]
View answerThe Uisce Éireann Small Towns and Villages Programme (STVGP) supports growth and development in towns and villages throughout the country. It provides water service capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in Uisce Éireann’s capital investment plan. Uisce Éireann identify those rural settlements that qualify and local authorities rank them in order of their priority.
It should also be noted that the recently announced Developer-led Infrastructure (DLI) initiative provides a separate and distinct mechanism under which the private sector may deliver wastewater infrastructure to facilitate specific developments, provided that the infrastructure meets Uisce Éireann’s technical standards.
The operation of the STVGP is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures. Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
