2025-12-11

17. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the reforms that will be introduced under the Accelerating Infrastructure Delivery plan to enable developer-led infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70468/25]

My question relates to the recently published Government infrastructure plan and the steps that will be taken by Government to work more closely with housing developers and builders, big and small, on essential infrastructure for housing. What reforms will be introduced under the accelerated infrastructure delivery plan to enable developer-led infrastructure?

The accelerating infrastructure report and action plan includes targeted reforms to certain types of developer-led infrastructure as set out under action 15. This action recognises that alongside record public investment under the national development plan, private sector delivery models may play a complementary role in certain circumstances. Specifically under action 15, the Government has committed to progressing regulatory reforms that allow developers to deliver certain types of electricity and water infrastructure, where this may result in faster or more efficient development with no degradation of standards. In relation to electricity, this means advancing regulations to enable private wire electricity connections in line with the Government's private wires policy statement. In relation to water, it means bringing forward measures for developers to deliver new, stand-alone wastewater treatment plants to bolster the service provided by Uisce Éireann to support increased levels of housing. Both of these activities are planned for completion in quarter two of 2026. It is explicitly committed to that any developer-led infrastructure will comply with environmental and technical standards and integrate with public systems, where appropriate. The Department of housing will lead on reforms relating to water infrastructure while the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment will lead on energy-based measures. Both Departments will work closely with utilities, local authorities, regulatory bodies and planning authorities to ensure that developer-led delivery is integrated effectively with statutory processes and national priorities.

I thank the Minister for that update. I welcome the progress the Government is making on accelerating this infrastructure, particularly from a wastewater perspective. Standards are essential, but this is a way for these housing estates and these developments to get on the blocks, get done and get moving quickly rather than having to wait for Uisce Éireann, local authorities, the ESB, etc., to get that work done. It is very important that standards are clear and, for that reason, that Uisce Éireann takes all that stuff on when the developer is finished and the work is built out to standard. Those standards are really important. I look forward to hearing a bit more about their development, alignment, monitoring and implementation.

The Deputy will have heard from the Minister, Deputy Browne, about wastewater treatment plants and the work on advancing that, which will be critical to improving overall housing supply. It will not be solely Irish Water but it will be something that will enhance wider water infrastructure across the State. Similarly, there is the work the Minister, Darragh O'Brien, is doing in respect of private wires, again ensuring we broaden and enable infrastructure development across the State, which will help. I am working with both Ministers in order that these reforms are advanced in 2026. Both will help in terms of overall housing supply but also in building greater investment in job opportunities across the State.

As Chair of the climate committee, I am acutely aware of this. We hear a lot at that committee about the pressures on the energy grid, its ability to move energy around the country and to take additional houses, and how important that is. I welcome private wires, investment in the grid and anything else that will help relieve that pressure and put capacity in place in the network to allow residential units to connect as quickly and as reliably as possible. With forthcoming regulations that will allow developers to deliver that electricity infrastructure independently, the deployment of renewable generation and storage can certainly be accelerated. A good co-ordinated approach across government will be essential to make that possible. I welcome the progress the Minister has made on the action plan. I know he has put a lot of time and effort into its delivery. The proof will be in the pudding in the delivery and its implementation.

I appreciate the Deputy's remarks. We can make a serious impact next year in terms of the legal reforms, the regulatory reforms, and the co-ordination and delivery changes we are making while also making the case for greater public acceptance of infrastructure across the State, in particular across those critical areas of water, energy and transport. Part of that is reflected in the questions the Deputy has asked in terms of enabling developer-led infrastructure as well. I look forward to working with him next year on driving delivery.