Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2024
399. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that Uisce Éireann’s delivery programme has been truncated because of inflation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25010/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra400. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is going to increase Uisce Éireann’s budget to account for inflation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25012/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra401. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of water quality reports and need for sewage treatment plants upgrade and new builds due to extra housing, he will increase the budget that is required for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25014/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra402. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if future infrastructural projects that are required to accommodate the housing that is required are properly funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25015/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 399 to 402, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government is committed to funding Uisce Éireann’s capital investment plan for water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis. There will be record levels of investment in water services by Uisce Éireann in the period 2021-2025, with commitments of almost €6 billion in capital investment of which over €4.5 billion will be voted Exchequer funding for domestic water services.
This commitment is reflected in Budget 2024, with almost €1 billion of capital funding available to Uisce Éireann.
This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area.
Uisce Éireann are currently revising its Strategic Funding Plan (SFP) for 2025-2029. This is being undertaken in the context of the recent NDP review, which sets out the competing demands for capital expenditure across various sectors and highlights the risks posed by capital expenditure plans exceeding the capacity of our economy to deliver projects in a supply constrained and full employment economic environment.
The SFP will set out a defined set of priorities to deliver improvements to water and wastewater services throughout Ireland for the next five years. It will specify the measures Uisce Éireann proposes to take to meet the policy objectives of the Water Services Policy Statement, incorporating its estimated funding requirements for capital investment.
