Every opportunity I had to ask the Minister for this funding I took, since my very first week as a Senator and I raised it in the Seanad several times too for the villages of Doolin, Broadford, Cooraclare and Carrigaholt that really need it. We can’t build houses in our villages without water infrastructure. There can be no regional rebalance or bringing life back into rural villages without proper water infrastructure. For years so many places fell between stools with neither the Local Authority or Irish Water providing new infrastructure.

 

Now there is a way. A new funding scheme targeting the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that have no access to public waste water services. The scheme is funded by a €50 million commitment under the National Development Plan.

The scheme will now open to Local Authorities for application and will stay open for applications until September 15th. There will also be an information workshop for Local Authorities.

 

This vital piece of infrastructure support will allow for the building of new houses in smaller villages which are not currently serviced by collective waste water treatment systems, while reducing the risk to public health and preventing water pollution.

Thanks to Minister Darragh O’Brien T.D for your listening ear.