313. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that are being undertaken to improve water quality in Cork Harbour and the River Lee catchment area, in light of recent Environmental Protection Agency findings regarding bathing water quality, nutrient pollution and other identified issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44336/26]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) have identified 9 Priority Areas for Action (PAAs) under the Water Action Plan 2024 due to elevated nutrient levels, particularly nitrogen, within the Lee catchment impacting water quality in the River Lee, Cork Harbour, Youghal Harbour and adjacent coastal waters.

My Department supports a number of initiatives in the Lee Catchment. In Co. Cork, projects and groups dedicated to water quality improvement received €137,167 through the 2026 Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund. While the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) programme supports farmers across the catchment to implement targeted measures has received approximately 164 applications, covering a total of 1,444 measures, across the Lee, Cork Harbour, and Youghal Bay catchment area.

Uisce Éireann has delivered significant improvements in wastewater infrastructure and water quality across Cork Harbour and the River Lee catchment. The Cork Lower Harbour Sewerage Scheme and new infrastructure in Whitegate and Aghada, along with further upgrades in the River Lee catchment at Ballyvourney-Ballymakeery, Macroom, Coachford and Dripsey, and a new plant at Inchegeelagh have removed untreated discharges. In Cork Harbour, new treatment capacity has been delivered through a plant serving Whitegate–Aghada and at Shanbally, which now serves Cobh, Crosshaven, Carrigaline, Passage West, Monkstown and Ringaskiddy.