Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Albert Dolan, has called on the Government to urgently deliver on long-promised sewerage infrastructure for villages, which remain without basic wastewater facilities despite funding being announced three years ago.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Dolan highlighted how the failure to progress the €50 million Unsewered Villages Scheme, first announced in 2022, is having a serious impact on housing supply and affordability in east Galway.
“Three years on from what was a fantastic announcement, we still have no plans, no sites, and ultimately no execution,” said Deputy Dolan. “The result is an artificial constraint on land supply in towns and villages across Galway. House prices in Athenry, Loughrea and Gort are being pushed up, while villages like Craughwell and Clarinbridge have not seen new homes built in more than 15 years. This is an opportunity that cannot be allowed to slip away.”
The Tánaiste, in response to Deputy Dolan, acknowledged that the delays were “appalling” and committed to raising the issue directly with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. He confirmed that updated investment plans for water and sewerage will be published in the coming weeks as part of the National Development Plan.
Deputy Dolan stressed that the time for promises has long passed:
“Communities in Craughwell and Clarinbridge have been left waiting far too long. The money has been allocated, the political commitment has been made, but delivery has not followed. I will continue to press this issue until we see spades in the ground. Villages across east Galway deserve the chance to grow again and to provide homes for young families.”
