SF calls for clarity over capital funding to Uisce Éireann
The party's housing spokesman, Eoin Ó Broin, claims that the coalition has been "caught out again misleading the public".
The assertion follows a report in The Irish Times which states that a budget day announcement of an extra €1 billion for the water utility to support increased housing supply was not actually additional funding.
The article is based on a freedom of information request, which reveals correspondence between the then minister for housing Darragh O'Brien and chairperson of Uisce Éireann, Jerry Grant.
The Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West says a letter from Mr Grant makes it clear that "the €1bn is not additional expenditure, but rather an alternative financing mechanism to cover existing commitments".
Mr Ó Broin is now calling on the Ministers for Finance, Public Expenditure and Housing to explain themselves.
In a statement today, Uisce Éireann said: "The last Government announced an additional €1bn of funding for water services as part of Budget 2025.
"Following that announcement, Uisce Éireann sought clarity from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on how this funding was to be accessed.
"The department confirmed that the money was to be used towards our pre-existing capital funding requirements from 2025 to 2028, comprising of €700m for deemed non-domestic capital investment and €300m for domestic capital investment.
"The €1bn funding announced as part of Budget 2025 is therefore incorporated in the €16.9bn requirement in Uisce Éireann's Strategic Funding Plan."
Uisce Éireann added: "We are seeking a further €1.7bn to 2029 in ring-fenced funding to build infrastructure to enable housing and economic growth in key strategic development."
In a statement issued by the Department of Housing on 1 October last year, the then housing minister, Darragh O'Brien, said: "In addition to the €1.7bn for Uisce Éireann next year in 2025, we have secured an equity investment of €1 billion for Uisce Éireann to support the delivery of their Capital Investment Plan for 2025-2029.
"This continued investment in public water services capital infrastructure will be vital to support future housing delivery."
During his budget speech in the Dáil last October, then minister for finance Jack Chambers said: "In terms of addressing water infrastructure, €1 billion will be provided to Irish Water for non-domestic capital investment.
"This will allow for works to be carried out across the country on capital projects related to remedial action lists, connections for new housing and addressing urban wastewater pressures."
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