Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
191. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to ensure that the formal transfer of responsibility for private water and wastewater system is sped up; to outline the process through which this takes place; if there is dedicated staffing/engineers in each local authority to carry out these duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5042/26]
View answerThere are a number of housing estates across the country that rely on Developer Provided Infrastructure (DPI) for water and wastewater services and which are not currently connected to the Uisce Éireann network or taken in charge.
Since 1 January 2024, Uisce Éireann, as the national water authority, is responsible for the progressive remediation and resolution of DPI infrastructure nationally. This represents an important change, providing a single, coordinated national approach to addressing what are often complex and long-standing legacy issues, and ensuring greater consistency in how such cases are managed.
The process involves Uisce Éireann, working with local authorities, identifying DPI locations and prioritising them on a risk-based basis, taking account of public health, environmental compliance and service reliability. Uisce Éireann carries out technical and environmental assessments and determines the most appropriate resolution option in each case. This may include remediation works to bring infrastructure up to the required standard, connection to the public network where feasible, or other site-specific solutions. Once remediated, infrastructure can be transferred into Uisce Éireann’s ownership and long-term operation.
It is not intended that Uisce Éireann immediately take over the day-to-day operation of DPI installations. Existing interim operating and maintenance arrangements remain in place until remediation and formal transfer can be completed. Given the scale, condition and complexity of DPI infrastructure nationally, resolution will necessarily be phased over time.
My Department continues to engage closely with Uisce Éireann and local authorities to oversee progress and support the delivery of this programme.
Staffing arrangements within individual local authorities, including the assignment of engineers or other personnel, remain a matter for the Chief Executive of each authority. However, the transfer of responsibility to Uisce Éireann is intended to reduce reliance on ad-hoc local arrangements and to provide greater certainty and long-term assurance for residents.
