Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has welcomed the introduction of a new Government initiative based on his own proposals to remove wastewater infrastructure barriers that have been delaying housing developments in towns and villages across County Clare.
The Developer-Led Wastewater Services Infrastructure initiative, announced by Minister for Housing James Browne, will allow developers to design and build wastewater treatment solutions for new housing projects in partnership with Uisce Éireann.
Deputy Cooney said the measure is a significant step forward for rural counties like Clare where limited wastewater capacity has prevented housing developments from moving ahead.
“Across County Clare there are towns and villages where housing projects have been stalled simply because wastewater infrastructure has not been able to keep pace,” Deputy Cooney said. “This new initiative provides a practical and workable solution. By allowing developers to deliver treatment systems in partnership with Uisce Éireann, we can finally move forward with housing projects that have been waiting for years.”
Deputy Cooney also noted that the measure reflects proposals he first raised in 2025 through his work in Dáil Éireann and at Joint Oireachtas Committee level. He has consistently put his proposal forward through Parliamentary Questions and representations to the Department of Housing and Uisce Éireann.
Under the new framework, developers will build wastewater treatment systems which will then transfer to public ownership once completed. Uisce Éireann will be responsible for their long-term operation and maintenance.
Deputy Cooney said the measure would particularly benefit smaller communities across rural Clare. He noted that many rural communities have struggled to attract housing because of capacity constraints. This initiative provides a clear pathway to address that problem while still maintaining strong environmental and public health standards.
The new regulations also introduce a streamlined registration process for smaller developments of up to 40 homes. This avoids lengthy licensing processes while ensuring compliance with environmental safeguards overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Meanwhile, Deputy Cooney has welcomed the decision by Clare County Council to publish a proposed variation to the Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029 which could see significant additional lands made available for housing across the county.
“The proposed variation to the County Development Plan, which identifies additional land for housing and village growth, is an important step that works hand-in-hand with the new developer-led wastewater infrastructure scheme,” he explained.
“For many communities in Clare, two of the biggest barriers to housing delivery have been the availability of zoned land and wastewater capacity,” he added. “What we are now seeing is progress on both fronts. By providing both the land and the infrastructure pathway through Uisce Éireann, we can finally begin to unlock housing projects that have been stalled in towns and villages across the county.”