Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has announced an additional £19.5 million of funding for NI Water, allowing for water and sewerage connections for 2,300 new properties.

The ring-fenced funding, which was secured as a direct result of the Department's October monitoring, will provide connections across five council areas and act as a proactive response to the challenges of housing supply in the country.

"This is good news for communities and businesses across counties Antrim, Derry and Tyrone," said Minister O'Dowd. 

"I'd like to thank NI Water for working in a constructive and positive manner to deliver this essential infrastructure and we will continue to work together to find innovative solutions in the months and years ahead.

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"As we continue to seek fairer funding and investment in our services after 14 years of underfunding and austerity by the British Government, I will continue to make the case for additional funding for essential public services to enable the upgrade and modernisation of vital infrastructure."

Meanwhile, Jo Aston, Chair of NI Water, welcomed the financial boost. She said: "We are delighted to welcome the funding secured by Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd, through the Department for Infrastructure's 'Monitoring Round'.

"This investment will help to address current development constraints. With this £19.5million of new funding we can now enable connections to over 2,300 new properties across five council areas in line with principles shared with water regulatory bodies.

"This positive development will not only support much needed housing supply, but also contribute to the growth and prosperity of our local communities."

She added: "NI Water remains committed to working collaboratively to find innovative solutions to the constraints being faced and ensure the delivery of vital infrastructure."