PRESS RELEASE
McGuinness Welcomes “Badly Needed Clarity” from Uisce Éireann on Water and Wastewater Projects Across County Kilkenny.
Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, John McGuinness, has welcomed what he describes as “clear and comprehensive answers” from Uisce Éireann following a detailed series of questions he submitted on the status of water and wastewater infrastructure in Inistioge, Bennettsbridge, Rower and across County Kilkenny.
Deputy McGuinness said the information provided “brings much-needed transparency to longstanding concerns regarding capacity constraints, project delays, and the prioritisation of essential public infrastructure,” adding that he will continue to pursue the delivery of key upgrades in the county. “Communities such as Inistioge, Bennettsbridge, Rower and others deserve clarity and accountability. Uisce Éireann has now provided that, and I intend to ensure these projects remain firmly on the agenda. The information released will help local communities understand where each project stands and what must happen next.”
Questions Submitted by Deputy McGuinness and Answers Provided by Uisce Éireann
1. Who provides the business case for the classification of water infrastructure projects, the upgrade of existing wastewater treatment plants, and the provision of new wastewater treatment plants?
Answer: Uisce Éireann prepares all strategic assessments and business cases for upgrading existing public water and wastewater treatment plants. New wastewater infrastructure in areas without existing public systems is the responsibility of the local authority and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
2. Who makes the decision on the priority status of each project?
Answer: Kilkenny County Council sets the priority ranking under the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme (STVGP). Uisce Éireann incorporates these rankings into national planning based on available funding.
3. If KCC provided the business plan to Irish Water, can I have a copy of each of the first five projects listed?
Answer: Inistioge was No. 4 on the priority list in 2021, and was reprioritised to No. 5 in 2023.
4. The Inistioge plant was second on the priority list but now it’s downgraded to fourth position. Why?
Answer: Inistioge was ranked 4th in 2021, not 2nd. It was reprioritised to 5th by Kilkenny County Council in 2023. This reprioritisation was made by the Council, not Uisce Éireann.
5. A planning application was approved years ago for an upgrade of the Inistioge plant. Can you provide a copy of the decision and explain why it didn’t progress?
Answer: No historic planning records were provided. Uisce Éireann outlined the current situation: Inistioge is served by a septic tank system discharging to the Nore estuary. A capacity study found no evidence of environmental harm. The plant is nearing design capacity but is maintained through desludging and ongoing operations.
6. Is Irish Water aware of a substantial raw sewage outflow near a bathing area?
Answer: Uisce Éireann states the system provides primary treatment, not raw sewage discharge. No evidence of harm was found. There are no designated bathing waters in Inistioge. Ongoing desludging and maintenance continue.
7. Who is responsible for the maintenance of the Inistioge plant?
Answer: Uisce Éireann’s local wastewater operations team.
8. What is the status of the €5.2 million allocated for Bennettsbridge?
Answer: The project is at Stage 2 – Preliminary Business Case, involving detailed analysis, solution-option shortlisting, and cost estimation under the STVGP.
9. Is the Rower village water and wastewater system listed for upgrades?
Answer: No. Rower has no existing public wastewater infrastructure, and developing such systems is a matter for the local authority and the Department of Housing, not Uisce Éireann.
10. Are vacant and derelict properties considered when assessing infrastructure needs?
Answer: Yes. Vacant and derelict properties are incorporated into future-demand and design capacity assessments.
11. Is tourism and business activity, such as that around Woodstock, considered in Inistioge capacity assessments?
Answer: Yes—assessments include: Residential load – Commercial and institutional activity – Tourism-related demand – Licensed industrial discharges, plus an additional 10% design allowance for projected future growth.
12. What level of investment did Irish Water make in Kilkenny in the last five years?
Answer: Between 2014 and 2024, Uisce Éireann invested €77 million in Kilkenny’s water and wastewater infrastructure.
Deputy McGuinness concluded:
“This information is essential for communities who have waited far too long for basic services that support homes, tourism, local businesses and public health. I will continue working with Uisce Éireann and Kilkenny County Council to ensure progress is made, especially in Inistioge and Bennettsbridge, where upgrades are long overdue”.
Click here to link to John McGuinness’s cover letter to residents