Sewerage schemes for the villages of Cooraclare and Broadford have been given the green light this morning as part of a €50m government programme.
The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien has announced the successful projects as part of the rural wastewater collection and treatment scheme.
Each local authority was allowed to put two villages forward for the scheme, which is designed to connect unsewered rural settlements to wastewater infrastructure.
Although 50 communities in Clare are still without sewerage systems, the announcement brings a wait of over 40 years to an end for the residents of Broadford and Cooraclare.
It follows intense lobbying by a number of community and political representatives including the Broadford Action Group, Councillor Bill Chambers and the late Brendan Daly in Cooraclare.
Clare Senator Timmy Dooley led a delegation of Clare Oireachatas Members to meet with the Minister in 2020, where he proposed a new type of scheme to provide wastewater facilities in villages where there is no Irish Water facilities already in place.
While, Clare TD Cathal Crowe previously indicated that the provision of rural sewerage schemes would be a redline issue for him, when it comes to the Programme for Government.
Commenting Minister O’Brien said “This Government have committed, through the NDP, to support the proportionate growth of rural towns and villages. We absolutely understand the need for balanced regional investment and growth throughout the country and the importance of equitable rural investment.
“As well as that we are extremely conscious of the risks arising from inappropriate waste water treatment infrastructure both to public health and indeed the environment.
“That’s why I am making the announcement today that the villages of Clarinbridge and Craughwell in Co. Galway, Ramsgrange in Co. Wexford, Broadford and Cooraclare in Co. Clare, Beaufort in Co. Kerry and Ballygawley in Co. Sligo will all proceed to funding stage subject to engagement and agreement with the relevant with Local Authority.
“Having visited many of these villages, I acknowledge and greatly appreciate the work of the local communities in campaigning for these facilities.”
