Thursday, 5th of September 2024: The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) has launched the Water Action Plan 2024 today in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. The Water Action Plan (WAP) sets out the measures that are necessary to protect and restore water quality in Ireland under the EU Water Framework Directive up to 2027.
Speaking at the launch the Minister of State for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, TD said: “We are delighted to give local communities and groups throughout Ireland the opportunity to make a positive impact on the streams, rivers and lakes in their local areas. The Fund will support the implementation of the Water Action Plan 2024 by raising awareness and improving waterbodies nationwide. Community engagement is an important element in the success of the Plan, with the benefits of increased public participation being recognised through the strengthening of the Community Water Development Fund up to 2027.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD said: “We are delighted to introduce the Community Water Development Fund for 2025, which funds local community projects to enhance their local streams, rivers and lakes. This work will play an important role in the Water Action Plan, focusing on the participation of the public in water quality and biodiversity.”
An ambition in the Water Action Plan is to determine the supports needed for the formation and capacity building of local forums which will identify and support implementation of measures to protect and improve water quality that meet the needs of communities and other sectoral interests. LAWPRO ran workshops this Summer using one pilot catchment per region to explore and develop a community forum model that will be rolled out across all 46 catchments in Ireland.
