Fianna Fáil believes a "dramatic overhaul" is required regarding the funding for wastewater treatment plant upgrades in Connemara.

The party's Galway West general election candidate, Gráinne Seoige, has said there must be a strategic, long-term commitment to prioritise high-quality wastewater infrastructure in villages and towns across Connemara, including Cill Chiaráin, Leitir Móir, Carna, Gort Mór, Claddaghduff, Cleggan, Tully Cross, Renvyle and Recess.

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

-- Advertisement --

"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," she continued.

"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."

As a possible solution, Seoige 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.