John Cummins
Waterford · Fine Gael · Ireland
“To ensure a structured and comprehensive examination of the issues, the task force was organised under four work themes: structures, funding, functions and governance and accountability within the local government sector.”
“At the outset, I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for raising this important issue this morning. I am acutely aware of the strong interest that exists within this House in matters relating to local government.”
“Engagement took place with a wide range of organisations and representative bodies, including employer and employee representatives, community and voluntary organisations, academic experts and other key stakeholders.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No.”
“In that context, I welcome the opportunity to address the House and to provide an update on the progress made today in advancing that recommendation and strengthening local democracy more generally.”
“The task force was charged with delivering its report within the challenging timeframe of six to nine months. However, considerable preparatory work already completed across the sector provided a strong foundation and enabled that timeline to be achieved. The task force, as the Senator rightly pointed out, was chaired by Mr.”
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“At the end of the six-year tenancy of minimum duration, a smaller landlord may terminate a tenancy on any of the limited grounds for termination under the principal Act, subject to making any necessary statutory declaration and statement. A larger landlord will no longer be able to use the grounds for termination under paragraphs 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the table in section 34 of the principal Act and can only gain vacant possession where the tenant voluntarily leaves or breaches their obligations or where the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household. Section 15 requires the landlord when terminating a non-Part 4 tenancy to state the reason for its termination.”
“It will also be permitted to avoid undue financial or other hardship, that is, where the sale and proceeds are required by the landlord to provide a principal private residence for the landlord or a spouse or civil partner of the landlord where the landlord or civil partner or spouse of the landlord is legally required to discharge a debt or to make payment of more than 15% of the asking price within nine months of the termination date, including a payment to the Revenue Commissioners, for example to discharge a debt under the fair deal scheme or to make a payment in respect of a tax liability; where a personal insolvency practitioner has been appointed to the landlord, spouse or civil partner of the landlord; or where at least one of those parties is bankrupt or subject to proceedings of the declaration of bankruptcy or is arranging a debtor or has made a composition of arrangement with creditors.”
“During a six-year tenancy of minimum duration, a smaller landlord will be permitted to terminate a tenancy where a dwelling is needed for the occupation by the landlord of a family member restricted, as I have said, to immediate family.”
“Where the smaller landlord wishes to terminate a tenancy of minimum duration on ground 5, that is, substantial refurbishment or renovation, or ground 6, which is change of use, at the end of a six-year tenancy of minimum duration, a statutory declaration will be required to be made by a smaller landlord that on the date the notice of termination is served, the landlord is not a company and that the landlord is under not more than three tenancies of dwellings. A declaration and statement will also be required to be made by a smaller landlord that the notice period in the related notice of termination served during the tenancy of minimum duration expires on a specified termination date that falls on or after the expiry of a six-year tenancy of minimum duration. Section 14 restricts the termination of certain tenancies by certain landlords.”
“Where a smaller landlord wishes to terminate a tenancy of minimum duration during its six-year term on the ground that the landlord intends to sell the dwelling, the landlord must make a statutory declaration that on the date the notice of termination is served, the landlord is not a company and is a landlord under not more than three tenancies of dwellings and that the landlord requires the sale proceeds to avoid undue financial or other hardship.”
“Section 13 provides that where a smaller landlord wishes to terminate a tenancy of minimum duration during its six-year term on the ground that the dwelling is needed for occupation by a family member, the termination can only be grounded in respect of the intended occupation of the landlord's spouse, civil partner, child, stepchild, foster child, adopted child, parent, step-parent or parent in-law. The smaller landlord must make a statutory declaration that the landlord is not a company and is a landlord under not more than three tenancies of a dwelling.”
“Section 12 requires a smaller landlord, that is, a landlord that is not a company and is a landlord under not more than three tenancies of dwellings, when terminating a new tenancy created on or after 1 March 2026, that is, a tenancy of minimum duration during or after its six-year term, to make certain statutory declarations. A technical amendment allows engineers to certify for the purposes of grounding a tenancy termination on substantial refurbishment or renovation that vacant possession is required for at least three weeks for the health and safety of the tenant.”
“Landlords must in setting the rent have regard to a newly published register by the RTB and the most recent comparable rents for similar dwellings with regard to floor area, dwelling type, number of bedrooms and bed spaces and the BER. Contravention by a landlord of the amended section 22(2) will be an offence and improper conduct and the RTB may prosecute or sanction such contravention. Section 11 updates the definition of market rent by requiring, in setting a rent for a dwelling, regard to be given to the rent information contained in the public register.”
“From 1 March 2026, a new exemption from the annual rent increase restriction is provided for the first rent setting for a new tenancy in an existing rented dwelling after a tenant ends their tenancy where the tenant breaches the tenancy obligations or where the accommodation is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household. In respect of a new tenancy created on or after 1 March 2026, after six years, or three years in respect of student-specific accommodation during which the rent increase restriction applied to that tenancy, a landlord may reset the rent to market rent. Section 10 requires a landlord when notifying their tenant of new rent to copy the notice to the RTB.”
“Section 7 obliges a tenant to allow viewings of a dwelling where the landlord intends to sell. Section 8 provides for a new national rent control in respect of new tenancies, that is, first-time tenancies between parties, created on or after 1 March 2026. Provision is made for an annual rent increase restriction in line with the consumer price index or, if lower, 2% per annum pro rata for both new and existing tenancies. However, a restriction linked to the CPI only will apply for new apartments and student-specific accommodation that both commenced and completed development in compliance with the building control regulations on or after 10 June 2025.”
“The Minister has outlined the broad thrust of the Bill and I am now going to focus specifically on its provisions. The Bill contains 31 sections. Sections 1, 3, 4 and 25 contain standard provisions dealing with the definitions, Short Title, commencement, collective citations and construction of the Bill. Sections 2, 9 and 23 provide for the repeal of the RPZ provisions and make consequential technical amendments. Section 5 clarifies that notices and other documents may be served or given by electronic means under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, the principal Act. Section 6 requires a landlord to serve a notice on a tenant and copy the RTB, explaining how the rent was set upon the commencement of a new tenancy created on or after 1 March 2026.”
“It is also important to put on record the significant work that has gone into bringing the number of cases on hand down from a high of more than 3,600 a couple of years ago to approximately 1,300 last month. The goal is to get the number down to 1,200. It will never be zero, and we will always have applications in the system. However, the organisation is working to ensure that we have a modern, fit-for-purpose planning system that meets current needs and that addresses the deficits relating to the backlog of applications.”
“Everyone is entitled to bring whatever they wish into the Chamber. I hope I have provided Senator Boyhan with a clear update of the timelines and the progress that has been made. Of course, An Coimisiún Pleanála wants to continue to improve its digital services in order that all customers can interact with it in an appropriate manner. I want to put on record my thanks to An Coimisiún Pleanála for the significant progress it has made in turning matters around since its establishment. We now have a situation where all large-scale residential development applications for developments of more than 100 units are disposed of within the statutory 16-week timeframe. This is completely transformational and is having a positive impact in terms of the delivery of housing throughout the country.”
“Regulations were introduced last year, and SI 540 of 2025 specifically provides that appeals to An Coimisiún Pleanála can be made in electronic form. An Coimisiún Pleanála commenced a pilot of the system for online submission of planning appeals towards the end of November. This pilot ran throughout December 2025 and was open to the public. Pending some recent upgrades and further testing, the system for online appeals is expected to go live during February 2026, which is obviously a significant development. I hope this provides clarity. Senator Boyhan's question asks about the IT system, which was completed five years ago and which has been operational for eight years.”
“In April 2021, a new website was launched which facilitated online submissions and-or observations, including associated fees for cases before the board. As is standard with all major ICT projects, a lessons learnt review of Plean-IT was carried out in 2022 by an external consultant following a public procurement process. A director of transformation and digital services post was sanctioned following the ministerial action plan and the Office of the Planning Regulator report of 2022 to head up the next development phase of the board's ICT strategy. An Coimisiún Pleanála's transformation and digital services units are working with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer to develop online applications to provide the capability for the public to submit planning appeals online.”
“A further public procurement process led to an external IT company being appointed to develop the selected CMS development. This development commenced in 2016, and the CMS went live in October 2017. The GIS element of the project also went live during 2017 and was integrated with the new CMS. At the conclusion of the initial five-year period, a suite of enhancements and system improvements were introduced. This was the second phase of the project. Additional external expertise was publicly procured in 2019 to progress this phase. The board approved the renovation of the CMS using an internal team led by a new project manager and business analyst. The system has now been operational for eight years in total. Throughout the implementation period, the board reported regularly to the Minister for housing on progress.”
“I thank the Senator for the opportunity to update the House on progress with on the Plean-IT project in An Bord Pleanála, now An Coimisiún Pleanála. The Senator's question is interesting, based on the response I have, and he will hear it now. An Bord Pleanála commenced an ICT strategy in 2013. The purpose of the strategy was to address the organisation’s reliance on legacy systems. The Plean-IT programme was initiated in 2014 to implement this strategy. An external consulting firm was appointed following a public procurement process to carry out a feasibility study to assist in making a business case for the project. The business case was for three elements: a new case management system, geographical information systems, GIS, and a new website and portal. The project was projected to take five years, from 2014 to 2019.”
“In relation to local authorities and AHBs, we are committed to increasing MMC by at least 25% and we are going to try to push the 3D volume metric in addition to the 2D, which has been happening consistently across the sector over the past number of years.”
“I have been consistent on exempted development regulations and the provision of modular units. I never once said this is the solution to the housing crisis. This is about providing options for people. Who is it for anybody in this Chamber to try to dictate to people who may wish to put in a modular home if they believe that is appropriate for them? Everything we are trying to do in terms of planning within government is to simplify the process and remove things from the planning system that are not required to be in it. That is what we are doing in terms of the exempted development regulations, which I will bring to the Oireachtas committee at Easter.”
“I thank the Deputy. I note the comments from the Minister, Deputy Browne, about the developer-provided infrastructure element and the commitment Deputy Cahill has shown in raising constructed wetlands consistently in this House. There is a very good example of it in my constituency in Dunhill, County Waterford. In relation to the modular systems, we are going to provide planning exemptions to allow for modular units to the rear of the dwelling as I referred to earlier in response to questions from Deputy Gogarty. The Government will from a State point of view continue to invest in modern methods of construction, at least 25%, and we are going to bring an increased focus in terms of modular systems to that. I referenced the pilots in Limerick and Wexford, which are currently in process.”
“Two of the six systems undergoing review are for modular systems. Under the plan, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will further optimise the process towards NSAI agrément certification. The plan also commits to expanding the ready to build scheme, which the Deputy referenced at the end of his contribution.”
“In order to directly support the use of modular or 3D volumetric methods, my Department is providing funding and support for two pathfinder projects in the Limerick city short-term modular affordable rental transition modular housing project and Wexford County Council is being supported to develop 22 permanent social homes. The National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI, agrément certification plays a central role in enabling new, innovative construction products, processes and building systems. A total of 21 MMC systems are currently certified by NSAI agrément. Two of these certificates relate to modular systems. In addition, six MMC systems are at internal review stage for certification. Subject to satisfactory completion of this review, these certificates are expected to be published in the first half of 2026.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 is Ireland’s new housing plan. It is a wide-ranging action plan, focused on housing supply and targeting homelessness. The plan is centred on eight priorities, one of which includes increasing skills and supporting the adoption of modern methods of construction, MMC, in the residential construction sector, which will help facilitate delivery at optimal levels of speed, quality, sustainability and cost effectiveness. My Department will ensure that the weight of the State’s significant spending power is put firmly behind the use of MMC in at least 25% of all new build social and affordable housing. This will mean a pipeline of thousands of homes that will be built using MMC over the lifetime of the plan.”
“It is about removing red tape from the planning system so that planning authorities can actually deal with important planning applications and introduce flexibility and common sense to the planning system. That is what I am trying to do as Minister of State in the Department.”
“I note the Deputy's comments but, for the avoidance of doubt, unless there are explicit exemptions, the rules are the rules around planning. We have indicated our intention to bring forward this proposal. We have not set out the exact parameters of that. The current rules in regard to planning are the current rules until they are exempt. I indicated that to the joint Oireachtas committee when I was there before Christmas. As I said, this is a proactive and sensible proposal about providing options for people where they choose. Who is anybody in this Chamber or anywhere else to tell somebody that this is not an appropriate option for them if they choose to progress something?”
“That is why it is in the housing plan and why it is being prioritised by the Department. As I said, we expect to have those regulations before the joint Oireachtas committee around Easter time and implemented thereafter.”
“I welcome the Deputy's comments in relation to this proposal, which is being advanced by Government. I expect to have these domestic exemption regulations before the joint Oireachtas committee around Easter time and enacted and enforced thereafter. I have never once said that this is a solution to the housing crisis. This is about providing options for people where they feel it appropriate. There will be restrictions and limitations across a number of areas and they are obviously being worked through. The positive interaction of the public with the public consultation, which took place in regard to these exemptions, has been very welcome and have helped inform the discussions that have been ongoing in the Department in relation to this. I see this as a very positive and proactive measure that the Government is taking.”
“The implementation of the update of these regulations is being done on a phased basis by theme, with priority already given to exemptions relating to agriculture, which were passed before Christmas. The next theme will be domestic dwellings followed by infrastructure. These domestic dwelling regulations are at an advanced draft stage and include exemptions for stand-alone detached housing units to the rear of a residential dwelling. The final decisions on the specifics of these regulations, including on whether there are any restrictions, will be communicated as soon as possible. The new draft exempted development regulations will be subject to environmental consideration and will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and then before the committee.”
“The action is being progressed through the continued commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, including the consequential review of the exempted development regulations. It is expected that the work will be completed on these imminently and both will be brought before the joint Oireachtas committee thereafter. I assure the Deputy that both the Minister, Deputy Browne, and I have been working extensively on this matter with officials. Significant progress has been made to date following the successful public consultation that took place last year, with over 900 submissions received via the online portal. The details of these submissions have been reviewed and are informing the ongoing drafting of the updated exempted development regulations that will be forthcoming across 2026.”
“I thank Deputy Gogarty. The Government, as he said, recently published its new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, which aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030. Under pillar 1, it says that to increase the supply of additional housing, action 4.8 commits to increasing the number of development types that are exempt from planning, in order to ensure we have the flexibility for local authorities to be able to do the work they require to do. Planning permission will be exempt to allow for homeowners to adapt or extend their homes more easily, including attic conversions, subdivisions of existing homes and detached accommodation within the primary dwelling.”
“Finally, I acknowledge the strong co-operation across Government Departments, State agencies, non-government organisations and communities in the development and implementation of these water quality programmes and initiatives. One example I have seen that is an excellent case in point is the ecopark that has been established in Dunhill. It is a nature-based solution which services the community in the area. It has been highlighted many times before and has created a real sense of community that has been added to and which also serves a function. We will continue as a Government to invest in water because of its importance. The co-operation of all stakeholders plays a key part in that.”
“In addition, the office's catchment scientists will carry out local catchment assessments in 13 priority areas for action in the Nore catchment. These assessments will work to identify reasons for declined water quality and the actions needed to secure improvements. This is just one example of the work being carried out around the country that is supported and funded by my Department. This local level work complements our continued and increasing investments in upgrading our water infrastructure. It also complements the funding for innovative new approaches such as nature-based solutions, and the direct engagement with farmers that my Department is also supporting.”
“The local authority waters programme office is a local authority shared service provided jointly by Tipperary and Kilkenny local authorities and funded by my Department. It works on behalf of Ireland's 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, groundwater and coastal water through catchment science and local community engagement. The local authority waters programme office will have responsibility for delivery of the programmes relating to farming and urban drainage that I mentioned earlier. One example of the work undertaken by the office is the River Nore catchment. The office has focused on community engagement, as protecting our rivers is a shared responsibility. This includes facilitating water quality training through the local biodiversity officer, and heritage week events.”
“Firstly, the farming for water European investment partnership, EIP, that was launched in March 2024 aims to support farmers in the implementation of supplementary measures on farmland where agricultural activities can impact water quality. Secondly, a scheme which will fund urban nature-based solution projects will be undertaken by local authorities to manage surface water drainage and rainfall. Finally, a national river barrier mitigation programme will fund the removal of barriers in our rivers or the mitigation of their impacts. I recognise the role of local authorities in protecting our waters. Co-operation with and support of local authorities is at the core of all our work in this area.”
“These measures include ongoing actions and investment across critical sectors, such as agriculture, forestry and water service provision, that bear the greatest burden in tackling pollution. The NDP funding provides for €306 million in investment to support additional targeted measures to restore and improve water quality in rural and urban settings, as well as improving river habitats. This funding will support a wide range of capital investment in water protection initiatives operated by the local authorities, by the EPA, by Inland Fisheries Ireland, and directly by my Department. This will include the development of specific, evidence-based, targeted programmes to drive water quality improvement.”
“Comprehensive water quality standards have been established for the purpose of protecting water quality. While most activities posing a risk to water quality are regulated in some way or other, it remains a challenge to enforce environmental regulations and achieve full compliance. We also continue to pursue those activities that are not adequately controlled at present, strengthening controls and filling regulatory gaps. Our most recent plan, the Water Action Plan 2024: A River Basin Management Plan for Ireland, is derived from the water framework directive and outlines the additional measures that we will take to protect and restore our natural water resources, including rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters.”
“To protect natural waters from the negative impact of human activities, many such activities are controlled through environmental authorisation, enforcement and compliance. This ensures that activities are safe and sustainable. These types of control systems include, for example, wastewater discharge licensing by the EPA and local authorities, the agricultural nitrates regulations, and environmental regulations through the planning system. Controls also include a range of other binding codes of practice for the purpose of protecting waters including, for example, domestic wastewater treatment systems and pesticides use. Most activities posing a risk to water quality must be carried out in a way that is compatible with good water quality.”
“Excess nutrients remain the largest threat to water quality, and this is impacted by urban wastewater, agriculture and legacy forestry. However, notwithstanding the deterioration over the period, the EPA report shows that surface water nutrient concentrations from agriculture have reduced overall since the peak in 2018-19. I thank and acknowledge all our farming communities for the significant progress that is being made in that respect. The EPA report also shows that where actions are being targeted in priority areas for action, there is a statistically significant improvement in phosphorus concentrations. In accordance with the water framework directive, Ireland has implemented a series of river basin management plans, which are specific programmes of environmental measures to protect and restore water quality.”
“The overarching legislation on water quality is the EU water framework directive, which requires all member states to protect and improve water quality in all our water bodies. The Irish river basin district covers an area of over 70,000 sq. km, with 4,842 water bodies. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, oversees and implements the national water quality monitoring programme, which is designed to assess the overall condition of our rivers, lakes, canals, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwaters. The latest EPA report on water quality for the period from 2019 to 2024 shows that 52% of Irish surface waters are achieving at least good status, compared with 54% for the previous reporting period from 2016 to 2021.”
“The Minister, Deputy Browne, addressed how the first two objectives are being delivered through the delivery of water services for urban and rural communities. The third objective is addressed through the water sector adaptation plan, which was launched by my Department last November, and the water action plan, which was launched in November 2024. The adaptation plan outlines strategies to build a resilient water system against climate change impacts, focusing on improving water quality, securing infrastructure and managing resources through integrated catchment management, infrastructure upgrades, conservation and nature-based solutions like sustainable urban drainage systems.”
“The Government's water services policy statement sets out the high-level policy framework relating to the provision of water services generally out to 2030. It defines the Government's three strategic policy objectives and priorities that must be pursued in delivering and improving water and wastewater services. The first objective is availability and reliability, whereby water services will support balanced regional development by improving public and private water services through continued investment in infrastructure. The second objective is safety and quality, whereby water services will be safe and protect human health. The third objective is sustainability, whereby water services will be efficient, resilient and sustainable in the long term.”
“I thank the Minister for bringing us through the progress that has been made on water service delivery, including the record levels of investment in the water sector. I welcome the opportunity to speak on water again this week. I will focus on water quality and policies. Water is our most valuable resource. It is vital to our health, our economy and our environment. Securing a safe and reliable water supply is a top priority for the Government. Access to healthy rivers and lakes, groundwater and bathing waters is essential for citizens, nature and industries. Ireland has an abundance of natural water resources. However, freshwater for human use is a relatively scarce and limited resource that needs protection.”
“While the Government does have full confidence in Uisce Éireann to deliver improved and strengthened water infrastructure through the NDP and beyond, it is not without criticism, especially when it comes to timelines afforded to the development sector and when it comes to pre-connection and connection agreements. This is an area that I have repeatedly called out myself and it needs a significant additional focus and a determined effort by Uisce Éireann. I make that point again here on the floor of the Dáil. As a Minister of State representing the Government I am confident that with the strong backing we are providing the organisation it can deliver a stronger and more resilient water and wastewater service that meets the needs of our current and future customers in the years ahead.”
“In terms of communication and public engagement, Uisce Éireann maintains contact with a diverse range of large groups of customers and community stakeholders through a range of channels on a daily basis. I accept that many of the comments of Members here today have focused on inadequate communications. Notwithstanding that Uisce Éireann has responded to more than 100,000 queries directly over the last ten years to 1,100 elected representatives, it is clear that the focus from Deputies here has been in relation to the timely response to those queries. That is something I will take up with Uisce Éireann management.”
“In tandem with the water supply project, the greater Dublin drainage project, GDD, is critical to facilitate growth in the greater Dublin area. The new wastewater treatment plant will be situated in the southern fringes of Fingal, immediately outside the M50 motorway in Dublin, and will serve north Dublin and parts of the surrounding counties of Kildare and Meath. The GDD will provide the additional treatment and network capacity to support the long-term sustainable growth of the greater Dublin region and ensure that Ireland continues to meet our objectives under European law. Beyond the statutory regulators, Uisce Éireann is also subject to rigorous financial scrutiny by way of a dual audit from the Controller and Auditor General and by commercial auditors, as well as being accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts.”
“It will deliver a safe, secure and sustainable source of water supply to the eastern and midlands region. It will achieve this by bringing treated water from the Parteen Basin in County Tipperary to Peamount in Dublin. The pipeline will have capacity for off-takes along the route in Tipperary, Offaly and Westmeath. It will also enable supplies serving Dublin to be redirected back locally in Carlow, Wicklow, Meath and Louth, bringing benefits to the Dublin region and the wider eastern and midlands regions. The delivery of this generational project is critical to sustainable economic growth, enabling housing delivery and attracting investment to support Ireland's growing population for the next 30 years and beyond.”
“Finding and fixing leaks is difficult and resource-intensive work. Investment of over €2 billion by Uisce Éireann over the past ten years has meant significant progress, with national leakage rates coming down from 48% in 2014 to 36% in 2024. Of course there is more work to be done in this area and Uisce Éireann has a plan to do it by focusing on the areas experiencing water shortages, and higher demand areas as a targeted focus. The organisation is embarking on some of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Ireland to meet future growth and societal needs. Some Deputies have referenced some of those in their contributions. The water supply project eastern and midlands region is a generational project and will be one of the largest ever undertaken.”
“This represents a significant and pragmatic step forward by ensuring that wastewater infrastructure does not become a barrier to delivering much-needed housing, particularly in small towns and villages in rural areas. This initiative introduces a clear partnership model that will allow developers to deliver wastewater infrastructure to Uisce Éireann standards. Uisce Éireann will then secure regulatory compliance by taking the assets into public ownership for long-term operation and maintenance. This initiative provides certainty for developers, protects environmental standards and avoids the legacy risks associated with earlier approaches to developer-led infrastructure. The developer-led infrastructure initiative will help unlock housing in areas previously constrained by wastewater capacity and support balanced regional development.”
“Uisce Éireann has identified 71 settlements across Ireland for additional investment where the existing capacity of treatment plants can support significant development in the short term. The selection of these 71 settlements took account of the national planning framework, the regional, spatial and economic strategies, county development plans and local area plans. In addition, Uisce Éireann consulted with the development community, the LDA, the LGMA housing unit and other housing bodies. The progression of these and other projects has to be delivered in a quicker and more efficient timeframe, as many Deputies have rightly pointed out here today. In acknowledgement that Uisce Éireann cannot meet all the housing capacity requirements on its own, the Government has recently approved a new developer-led infrastructure initiative.”
“I think everyone in this Chamber - if they really want to knowledge it - will acknowledge that there were huge discrepancies in the performance of local authorities in the area of water and wastewater when it came to investment. Therefore, significant remedial work is necessary that will take a number of years and investment cycles to fully resolve. The updated national development plan provides unprecedented investment of €12.2 billion to the water sector, €11.7 billion of which is earmarked to support Uisce Éireann to meet the ambitious targets in terms of compliance and ensuring the significant uplift in housing delivery our country requires. Under the national development plan, Uisce Éireann has allocated €1.7 billion for a new additional growth programme that will support accelerated housing delivery.”