195. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the concerns (details supplied) of the substantial sums spent to improve Ireland's water quality yet despite this no progress is being made; the measures he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47916/26]

The Water Action Plan 2024 is Ireland’s third river basin management plan for the period 2022-2027. It provides a roadmap setting out the actions required to protect and restore water quality in Ireland as required under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). The overall aim of the Water Action Plan 2024 is to take an integrated catchment management approach to ensure that our natural waters are sustainably managed and that freshwater resources are protected to maintain and improve Ireland’s water environment. Building on the previous two plans, the Water Action Plan 2024, focuses on:

• an increased level of ambition;

• clarity on governance and collaborative implementation;

• integrated catchment planning;

• public participation; and

• multiple benefits.

The Water Action Plan 2024 outlines 150 high level actions and within those, approximately 400 sub-actions that are necessary to achieve delivery. There are approximately 40 organisations who have been assigned actions, of which many co-lead with other organisations. Actions range from improved governance and implementation structures, enhanced public participation, development of Sectoral Action Work Plans and Catchment Management Work Plans, to delivery of capital projects for water environment restoration and protection. The Plan builds on a range of regulatory obligations that are designed to protect water bodies from both point source and diffuse pollution and controls over activities that could lead to deterioration of water quality.

In addition to the base measures specified by the WFD a number of ‘supplementary measures’ were developed over the course of the development phase of the Water Action Plan following extensive stakeholder consultations. They included the review and re-focus of governance and implementation structures, additional water protection measures under the Common Agricultural Policy, additional investment in public wastewater infrastructure and the remediation of domestic wastewater treatment systems. Many of the measures contained in the Water Action Plan contain co-benefits for other environmental priorities including biodiversity and climate mitigation and adaptation.

An example of such a supplementary measure is the Farming for Water EIP which was launched in March 2024. The project is targeting the implementation of supplementary measures on farmland where agricultural activities are impacting water quality. It has provided a valuable opportunity to compliment actions under the Nitrates Action Programme and Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan, particularly the Agri-Climate Rural Environmental Scheme (ACRES).

In addition, €5million has been allocated to fund the construction of urban nature-based solution projects to manage surface water drainage and rainfall in 2026. These projects are climate adaptation features that will contribute to our commitments under the Climate Act. Urban Nature-based solutions are highlighted in the National Adaptation Framework and the Water Sectoral Adaptation Plan as solutions to address the impacts of climate change.

As part of the National Hydromorphology Programme, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has launched the National Barrier Mitigation Programme, with co-funding from my Department, to either remove or mitigate ‘problem barriers’. The National Barrier Mitigation Programme is continuing to build strong momentum. Since 2024, IFI has successfully run two rounds of the Barrier Mitigation Fund, with €13.6 million awarded to projects in 2025 and a further €14.9 million awarded in 2026. A steady pipeline of projects is underway to ensure improved connectivity for migratory fish. Since the outset of the programme in 2024, 27 barriers have been mitigated across our rivers. The programme is contributing to achieving targets under both the Water Framework Directive and the Nature Restoration Law.

The targeted measures contained in the Water Action Plan are underpinned by the integrated catchment approach through Sectoral Action Work Plans and Catchment Management Work Plans. My Department is tracking the implementation of actions under the Water Action Plan and Sectoral Action Work Plans. Tracking implementation at waterbody scale through the development of the Catchment Management Work Plans is underway. This tracking of actions will bring the required level of granular detail to deliver measures at a waterbody scale.

An interim review report which focuses on progress with the implementation of the Water Action Plan 2024 up to Q4 2025 has recently been published.

It is recognised in scientific terms that improvements in addressing water quality takes time to be reflected in outcomes, but significant progress is being made in addressing the challenges we face, and this Government will continue its commitment to delivering on the ambition for water management contained in the Programme for Government.