Lios Ard water supply crisis
Kevin O'Keeffe described residents in Lios Ard, Ballyhooly having to use buckets because of a failing water supply. The Minister said decades of underinvestment were being addressed through Irish Water and major capital spending, though weather and low supplies were causing local pressure problems.
I wish to address the Taoiseach and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. A while ago, we heard about people have to climb mountains to survive. There is a crisis in the Lios Ard estate, Ballyhooly, Fermoy, Co. Cork, where residents are having to use buckets to draw water to survive this warm weather. I raise it here because while it has been an issue for the last week, more important, it has been an issue for the past ten years. The residents on the estate cannot be guaranteed a proper supply of water in this day and age. I ask the Minister or the Taoiseach to please intercede in the matter and give them some comfort regarding a resolution to the problem.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for the question. There has been massive underinvestment in our water infrastructure for more than a decade. That is why we established Irish Water, and that is why we are now making a significant investment throughout the country. Between now and 2027, under the national development plan and Project Ireland 2040, more than €8 billion will be spent on investing in critical water infrastructure. At the moment, the weather is having a particular impact, especially on pressure in certain areas. There may not be a restriction but pressure is low because supplies are low. If the Deputy wants to give me details on a specific area where he feels there might be a need to increase supply because of the weather, we can see if that might be possible-----
Comment on this
----given the fact that restraints are necessary because of the weather and because of the critical underinvestment over several years.