Lemybrien will avail of an upgraded waste water treatment plant, as part of 21 projects under the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme.
The project will see the upgrade of water supply capacity and add to the potential for growth.
Irish Water has announced these projects now to enable councils nationwide to make plans on housing and development into the short and medium term supporting their regional and local development plans.
News of the almost €1m investment in Lemybrien's treatment plant was welcomed in the Seanad by local Senator, John Cummins (Fine Gael)
"Thankfully - I've been informed in the last couple of hours that Lemybrien, along with twenty other projects, across rural and regional Ireland have been approved under the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme - adding to the fifteen already approved in the summer. This will represent almost one million euro of an investment in Lemybrien to upgrade water and waste water networks."
Some housing developments could not be commenced because of issues with the water network in the area. Senator Cummins believes this announcement will go a long way in alleviating these issues.
"A local builder has planning permission for 19 housing units - but yet cannot commence development because Irish Water have been dragging their heels with regards to what work is required to facilitate upgrades to the network. I've been going back and forth in relation to this particular matter over a number of months. It has been frustrating, at a time where we have such a shortage in terms of housing - that priority cannot be given to progressing the relevant tests and designs to carry out that work."
Senator Cummins says the delivery of the projects must commence as soon as they possibly can.
"While I acknowledge that these things do take time, I would call for a streamlining of the process. In relation to access for Irish Water to the Part 8 planning process for the likes of these schemes and also, that procurement could be done alongside the planning process in order to speed up delivery of these projects right across the country."
Irish Water’s Regional Operations Manager, Jim Fitzgerald, said:
“The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, recently announced the Housing for All plan and this is one of Irish Water’s key initiatives in supporting the delivery of this plan. Irish Water can confirm that the green light has been given for projects which will improve wastewater treatment capacity and water supply in Lemybrien. This will unlock growth and development in this area by ensuring the treatment infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of the area.
“Irish Water put this unique programme in place and allocated funding having identified the need to support growth in smaller towns and villages. The projects were selected following detailed consultation with Local Authorities to identify and prioritise areas for investment. We would also like to thank local councillors across the country of their engagement with us on highlighting the area’s most in need.”
