Fianna Fáil Galway West General Election candidate Gráinne Seoige has called for a dramatic overhaul of the funding of upgrades to wastewater treatment plants in Connemara.
Seoige 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.
“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.
“Connemara is not just a place; it’s a culture, a language, and a way of life that needs to be protected and nurtured,” she said.
Seoige added that investment in wastewater infrastructure is an investment in Connemara’s future.
“A thriving Connemara is essential for Galway’s overall growth. I am committed to ensuring this critical issue is addressed and that Connemara has the high-quality wastewater facilities needed to support sustainable housing and development for years to come,” she concluded.
Gráinne Seoige: ‘Tá ollchóiriú suntasach ar mhaoiniú d’ionaid chóireála fuíolluisce Chonamara ag teastáil’
Tá iarrthóir Olltoghchán de chuid Fhianna Fáil do Ghaillimh Thiar, Gráinne Seoige ag iarraidh go ndéanfaí ollchóiriú ar mhaoiniú na n-uasghrádaithe ar ionaid chóireála fuíolluisce i gConamara. Dúirt Seoige go gcaithfidh gealltanas straitéiseach fadtéarmach a bheith ann chun infreastruchtúr fuíolluisce d’ardchaighdeán a chuir in ord tosaíochta i mbailte ar fud Chonamara, lena n-áirítear Cill Chiaráin, Leitir Móir, Carna, Gort Mór, An Cladach Dubh, An Cloigeann, Crois na Tulaí, Rinn Mhaoile, agus Sraith Shalach.
“Tá an easpa infreastruchtúr cóireála fuíolluisce atá ann faoi láthair ag cruthú bacainn shuntasach ar fhorbairt tithíochta sna bailte beaga i gConamara,” a dúirt Seoige. “Tá easpa áiseanna cóireála fuíolluisce nua-aimseartha ina cheist athfhillteach nuair a thagann sé go dtí bac a chur ar tithe a thógáil ar eastáit bheaga sna bailte seo.”
“Tá a fhios agam na tionscnaimh atá tógtha ag an Aire Darragh O’Brien maidir le sráidbhailte agus bailte gan séaraigh.
“D’fhógair an tAire breis is €3.6 milliún le déanaí i maoiniú do seirbhís uisce tuaithe i nGaillimh faoin gClár Ilbhliantúil Uisce Tuaithe. Ach níl sé ag teach chomh fada leis na sráidbhailte níos lú sna ceantair le daonra atá níos scaipthe.”
Mhol Seoige, as an Spidéal ó dhúchas, go ceart cómhaoiniú ón gclár CLÁR agus ó chistí infreastruchtúir na Gaeltachta araon a mheaitseáil le maoiniú ón Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta do scéimeanna beaga séarachais i gConamara.
Bhí a leithéid de scéimeanna uisce agus séarachais ann roimhe seo faoi CLÁR agus faoi Scéimeanna Gaeltachta ach cuireadh deireadh leo faoi rialtais Fhine Gael luath sna 2010idí.
“Ní áit amháin é Conamara; is cultúr, teanga, agus slí bheatha é nach mór a chosaint agus a chothú,” a dúirt sí.
Dúirt Seoige freisin gur infheistíocht i dtodhchaí Chonamara í infheistíocht i infreastruchtúr fuíolluisce.
“Tá Conamara faoi bhláth riachtanach d’fhás iomlán na Gaillimhe. Táim díograiseach a chinntiú go dtabharfar aghaidh ar an gceist ríthábhachtach seo agus go bhfuil na háiseanna fuíolluisce ar ardchaighdeán a theastaíonn chun tacú le tithíocht agus forbairt inbhuanaithe sna blianta amach romhainn i gConamara,” a dúirt sí.
ENDS