Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
194. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of the 16 settlements reported by the EPA to be discharging raw sewage in 2024 that are still discharging raw sewerage; the anticipated date by which the discharge of raw sewerage is expected to cease in respect of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31423/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of settlements that are known by his Department to have wastewater treatment facilities that fail to meet EU standards set to protect the environment, including the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31424/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of the 547 unsewered settlements in Ireland, many of which are coastal summer holiday destinations, that have an average weekly loading in excess of 2,000 PE during some months of the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31425/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment who he and his Department considers responsible for the assessment of sub-threshold agglomerations, particularly in coastal locations where the population equivalent varies disproportionately during the summer season, given that the statutory body responsible for wastewater treatment and networks, Uisce Éireann, does not assess locations which do not have existing sewerage network or treatment facility, but is instead focussed on upgrading existing sewerage networks and treatment facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31426/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 195, 196 and 197 together.
I wish to advise that I have no function in relation to the provision of wastewater treatment systems or the inadequacy of existing wastewater treatment system. This falls under the remit of Uisce Éireann which is a body under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
It should be noted, however, that, since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 and I am advised that the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has no function in relation to same.
In addition the Environmental Protection Agency, as the Environmental Regulator, is the key statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of Uisce Éireann and local authorities, of environmental legislation in Ireland, including compliance in relation to licensed urban waste water discharges.
If Deputies have any queries on specific issues in relation to water services, 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. Deputies can also contact the EPA at oireachtasqueries@epa.ie.
