Significant funding announced to connect Kilkenny housing estates to Uisce Eireann network

Significant funding has been announced today (Monday) that will see three Kilkenny housing estates connected to the public water supply.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien has announced a total of €338,595 under the multi-annual capital investment programme for the progressive resolution of “developer provided water services infrastructure” (DPI) in Kilkenny housing estates to enable the taking in charge of these estate.

Housing estates with "developer provided water services infrastructure", are estates that are not taken-in-charge and do not have their water services connected to the public (Uisce Éireann) network.

The multi-annual funding programme was introduced in 2019 to facilitate the progressive resolution in a sustainable manner of the DPI in estates to support the taking-in-charge of the estate.

Pictures: South Kilkenny community pulls together for annual tractor run!

Click to see pictures by Joe Cashin

The funding now being announced under multi-annual programme is in line with the funding earmarked in the National Development Plan to assist in resolving the DPI in these estates in a sustainable manner over time. 

The Kilkenny estates to benefit are:

White's Castle, Knocktopher - funding of €128,699 towards the overall cost of €171,598

Brookfield, Ballyhale - funding of €108,536 towards the overall cost of €144,714

Archersfield, Kilmaganny - funding of €101,360 towards the overall cost of €135,146

Speaking on the allocations Minister O’Brien said:  “I am glad that this multi-annual programme, run by my Department, is continuing the process of helping the many families who are living in residential estates that are dependent on DPI for their water services.

“Many residents of DPI estates have made a major financial commitment in buying their homes but have been dependent on sub-standard developer provided wastewater or drinking water treatment plants for their water services. 

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Through this investment Government are ensuring that public elements of estates such as the provision of roads, open spaces, car parks, and service connections are completed to the satisfactory standard and maintained thereafter by the appropriate authority. 

My Department is currently conducting a survey to identify additional estates where a sustainable solution can be developed to enable the taking in charge of estates with DPI. Today’s announcement represents another significant step in resolving these problems. My Department is continuing to engage with local authorities to develop sustainable solution to estates with DPI to enable the taking in charge of these estates.”