Uisce Éireann has identified 72 cities, towns and villages across Ireland as priority locations for investment to help unlock new homes and support growing communities. The locations, in conjunction with rural areas and other communities, will benefit from the Government’s additional €2 billion funding programme announced as part of the National Development Plan.

Uisce Éireann said that by sharing the information with local authorities, housing and planning bodies, and industry stakeholders, it was helping to provide greater certainty around where strategic water and wastewater investment can support housing and growing communities.

The 72 communities were identified through a detailed review of national, regional and local development plans, focusing on locations where significant growth is planned and where investment can help unlock housing, support sustainable development and deliver the greatest benefit for communities.

Uisce Éireann said that by sharing the information with local authorities, housing and planning bodies, and industry stakeholders, it was helping to provide greater certainty around where strategic water and wastewater investment can support housing and growing communities.

The €2 billion allocation is in addition to the €10.2 billion already secured by Uisce Éireann under the National Development Plant to support environmental compliance, public health, growth, and safe secure water and wastewater services nationwide. This additional funding is specifically focused on unlocking capacity for housing growth and development.

The 72 locations identified for priority investment include:

• The five cities identified within the National Planning Framework: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford;
• Five Regional Growth Centres designated within Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies: Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo;
• Thirty-two Key Towns identified in regional and local development plans, including Kilkenny, Ennis, Clonmel, Killarney, Mallow, Nenagh, Wexford, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Longford and Navan;
• Seven strategically important growth areas identified through engagement with planning authorities, including Limerick-Shannon, Cobh, Midleton, Passage West, Ballincollig, Carrigtwohill and Carrigaline;
• Twenty four additional settlements with significant projected housing growth, such as Arklow, Tramore, Leixlip, Kildare, Athenry, Greystones and Enniscorthy.

Alongside the €1.7 billion investment in priority growth locations, a further €300 million has been allocated to support housing and development in rural communities. This funding will help towns and villages realise their development potential by providing the water and wastewater capacity needed to support new homes, local economies and growing communities across rural Ireland.

Sean Laffey, Asset Management and Sustainability Director, Uisce Éireann, said:

"Water and wastewater services are essential to every community. They support homes, schools, businesses and the services people rely on every day. We would to thank the Government for this additional €2 billion investment which will help create the water and wastewater capacity needed to support new homes and enable communities across Ireland to grow and thrive. By identifying these priority locations we are providing greater clarity for local authorities, government departments, developers and other stakeholders, helping improve coordination across the housing sector and supporting the delivery of new homes and stronger communities. The initial focus on 72 cities, towns and villages, alongside dedicated investment in rural communities, will create the capacity needed to support new homes, enable economic growth and help communities across Ireland reach their full potential."