Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 June 2026
194. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the latest EPA report on water quality; the measures his Department is taking to improve water quality in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47915/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ‘Water Quality In 2025: An Indicator Report’ published on 17 June 2026 by the EPA provides an update on how key indicators for water quality have changed in 2025 for Ireland’s waters. The EPA finds that there has been no significant change in the biological quality of our rivers and lakes in 2023-2025 when compared with the previous assessment period (2022-2024), with 54% in good or better biological quality. Nutrient concentrations remain too high in many of Ireland’s waters. Nitrogen remains too high in the east, south and southeast of the country. While there was a slight increase in both nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations in 2025 for rivers compared to 2024, concentrations over the longer term remain largely unchanged. However, a positive example of localised improvement was identified in the Ballyteigue-Bannow catchment in Wexford where a number of its rivers have seen improvements in biological quality in 2025.
On a national level a new revised and strengthened River Basin Management Plan, the Water Action Plan 2024, was launched by my Department in September 2024. The Water Action Plan is a strategic government 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 Sectoral Action Work Plans and Catchment Management Work Plans. Targeted action is also being undertaken in 517 designated Priority Areas for Action. Areas for Action designated under the Water Action Plan are areas where work to restore and protect water bodies will be focused under the third-cycle, capturing the full extent of the work being undertaken in catchments that contributes to achieving water quality outcomes by a range of stakeholders. 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.
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 Fifth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP), which allowed for the establishment of a national chemical fertiliser database, including tighter controls on the application and methods of application of chemical nitrogen fertilisers and slurry. The Fifth NAP also included the establishment of the National Agricultural Inspection Programme, funding 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. The Sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) was implemented from January 2026 and will be in place until 31 December 2028. This is the most ambitious NAP to date to address agricultural nutrient impact on water quality and includes measures on nutrient reduction, training and awareness raising, inspection and enforcement.
A Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project “Farming for Water” was launched in 2024. 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. The Farming for Water EIP project aims to support farmers in implementing these targeted measures, with an initial investment of €60 million. Under my Department’s Water Quality Capital programme, €41.5 million has been committed in 2026 to projects and includes additional funding for the Farming for Water EIP project among other projects.
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.
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.
