Kilkenny communities set to benefit from new critical infrastructure funding

Lack of adequate wastewater infrastructure has stalled construction of new homes in many areas

Published 1st Aug 2026, 12:00 BST File photo Lack of adequate wastewater infrastructure has stalled construction of new homes in many areas Sign up to our Kilkenny Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kilkenny Live within your account.

Fianna Fáil TD for North Tipperary and Northwest Kilkenny , Ryan O’Meara has welcomed Government approval of a new mechanism to provide €2 billion in capital funding to Uisce Éireann to expand water and wastewater infrastructure and support the delivery of 300,000 new homes by 2030.

The dedicated funding will increase capacity in communities across the country, helping to remove infrastructure constraints that have delayed or prevented housing development.

The investment will be delivered through two targeted programmes, the first is made up of €1.7 billion for the Growth Investment Programme, supporting water and wastewater in 72 settlements where infrastructure upgrades can unlock significant housing development.

Amended Kilkenny SUMP unanimously passed by County Council Second, €300m for the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme is aimed to support wastewater infrastructure in communities with populations below 2,000 and help to facilitate housing growth in rural and regional areas.

Speaking about the announcement, Deputy O’Meara said: “Delivering homes at the scale we need depends on having the infrastructure in place to support them. This investment will expand water and wastewater capacity and help unlock housing developments that could not otherwise proceed.”

“As towns across North Tipperary and Northwest Kilkenny continue to grow in population and regional importance, it is essential that local infrastructure keeps pace. This funding will help provide the capacity needed to build more homes and support the continued development of our communities.”

“Investment in infrastructure today will deliver lasting benefits by enabling sustainable growth, strengthening essential services and improving quality of life for residents. This package will make our water network more resilient, support existing communities and create the capacity needed for future housing and economic development,” he concluded.