Uisce Éireann needs €2bn to help reach Govt housing targets
Uisce Éireann will tell TDs and Senators today that it requires an additional €2bn to deliver the water services capacity needed to reach the Government's revised housing targets.
The water services utility is to appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery.
Chief executive Niall Gleeson will say that the new higher housing targets of 300,000 new homes by 2030 means it requires additional ringfenced funding.
Uisce Eireann's funding plan for 2025-2029 has already set out a funding requirement of €10.3bn investment for capital infrastructure and assets.
But Mr Gleeson now says that €2bn additional funding is needed between 2025 and 2030 to support this level of housing growth.
In the utility's opening statement, seen by RTÉ News, it says this additional funding would focus on ensuring the appropriate water and wastewater infrastructure is in place to facilitate new housing in areas prioritised for new development under the National Planning Framework.
Mr Gleeson also calls for more certainty around its funding and the Government's investment commitments.
He says: "Many of our stakeholders across the supply chain have highlighted the challenges in being able to meet demands without clarity as to our funding programme and the provision of one-off investment.
"Additionally, the annual allocation of funding to Uisce Éireann creates further uncertainty year-on-year. An effective solution is to align our funding allocation to our overall investment programme through a multiannual funding structure so we can better plan and deliver longterm projects, maximise efficiencies and provide greater certainty to our supply chain."
Mr Gleeson also warns that the Greater Dublin Area is facing serious water supply and wastewater capacity challenges.
He says this is related to water services infrastructure struggling to keep pace with population, housing and commercial growth.
"These are not just Dublin problems; they have significant implications for Ireland's competitiveness and population. The region and counties therein are home to a large number of our citizens and a base for economic activity – and they are growing," he adds.
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