McCormack welcomes water infrastructure funding to support housing growth

Offaly TD, Tony McCormack, has welcomed Government approval of a new mechanism to provide €2 billion in capital funding to Uisce Éireann to expand water and wastewater infrastructure and support the delivery of 300,000 new homes by 2030.

The Fianna Fail Dáil representative said the funding will help provide the capacity needed to build more homes and support the continued development of communities in Offaly.

The investment will be delivered through two targeted programmes - an allocation of €1.7 billion for the Growth Investment Programme, supporting water and wastewater capacity in 72 settlements where infrastructure upgrades can unlock significant housing development and funding of €300 million for the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme, supporting wastewater infrastructure in communities with populations below 2,000 and helping to facilitate housing growth in rural and regional areas.

Speaking on the announcement, Deputy McCormack said the Government's need to deliver homes on the scale required "depends on having the infrastructure in place to support them".

"This investment will expand water and wastewater capacity and help unlock housing developments that could not otherwise proceed.

“As towns across Offaly continue to grow in population and regional importance, it is essential that local infrastructure keeps pace.

“Investment in infrastructure today will deliver lasting benefits by enabling sustainable growth, strengthening essential services and improving quality of life for residents.

“This package will make our water network more resilient, support existing communities and create the capacity needed for future housing and economic development," Deputy McCormack said.