Gráinne Seoige, Fianna Fáil's General Election candidate for Galway West, has issued a strong call for a comprehensive overhaul of funding allocated to upgrade wastewater treatment plants across Connemara.

She emphasised the need for a strategic and long-term investment in wastewater infrastructure that would benefit villages and towns throughout the region.

She also highlighted that high-quality wastewater systems should be a priority for communities in Connemara, specifically naming areas like Cill Chiaráin, Leitir Móir, Carna, Gort Mór, Claddaghduff, Cleggan, Tully Cross, Renvyle, and Recess. Improved infrastructure, she argues, would support both the environment and the sustainable growth of these communities.

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"The current lack of adequate wastewater treatment infrastructure is creating a significant barrier to housing development in the small towns and villages in Connemara," Seoige said.

"The absence of modern wastewater treatment facilities has become a recurring issue impeding the building of small housing estates in these villages.”

"I am aware of the initiatives taken by Minister Darragh O'Brien in relation to unsewered villages and towns.

"The Minister recently announced over €3.6 million in funding for rural water services in Galway under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme. But it is not reaching the smaller villages in the more dispersed population areas."

The Spiddal native suggested co-funding from both the CLÁR programme and the Gaeltacht infrastructure funds should be matched by funding for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for small sewerage schemes in Connemara.

Such schemes for water and sewerage existed previously under the CLÁR and Gaeltacht Schemes but were done away with under the Fine Gael led governments of the early 2010s.

She continued: "Connemara is not just a place; it's a culture, a language, and a way of life that needs to be protected and nurtured."