Breaking down barriers to support housing delivery

Uisce Éireann’s Housing Lead Tony Bridgeman discusses how working together with the construction sector can drive progress and support the nation’s housing needs.

Uisce Éireann is navigating a challenging yet dynamic period as it supports Ireland’s housing, commercial development and growth, according to Bridgeman, Housing Lead at Uisce Éireann: “Our ambition is to be a solution provider as we recognise our role as Ireland’s national publicly owned water services utility in the delivery of secure, safe and sustainable public water services – enabling the Irish economy to grow and communities across Ireland to thrive.”

Bridgeman has played a pivotal role in driving transformation across the organisation, which is just over 10 years old: “In an environment that is constantly evolving, it is essential that ways of working with internal and external stakeholders are optimised.”

Uisce Éireann invests approximately €2.5 billion annually in operational and capital expenditure. This includes the operation, management, maintenance and upgrading of over 8,000 water and wastewater treatment plants and assets, as well as approximately 90,000 kilometers of pipe network.

The organisation has a significant footprint in the Irish economy, collaborating with over 2,000 Irish and international contractors and suppliers to deliver work programmes that generate economic opportunities nationwide.

The Dublin native brings over 40 years of experience in the utility sector, having worked with Bord Gáis and Gas Networks Ireland before joining Uisce Éireann. He has worked at Uisce Éireann for 12 years, originally as the Head of Business Transformation but more recently assuming the role of Housing Lead. In this capacity, he has been actively engaging with large-scale developers and their representative bodies – the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) – to address obstacles that may delay housing developments: “With the help of our delivery partners, we are driving improvements in water service infrastructure and facilitating connections, ensuring that homes and businesses across Ireland have a safe and secure supply of water and wastewater treatment for decades to come. Engaging at the initial stages of a project allows developers to access a crucial feasibility assessment that determines whether a connection is technically viable. This confirmation can be incorporated into planning submissions, strengthening applications, mitigating risks, and ultimately improving processing times for connection approvals.”

“In an environment that is constantly evolving, it is essential that ways of working with internal and external stakeholders are optimised.”

Bridgeman also believes that further collaboration with developers and their representative bodies can yield additional solutions to building delays. However, he emphasises the importance of quality and value: “Uisce Éireann is investigating whether greater developer involvement in the installation of water and wastewater infrastructure can accelerate the delivery of housing projects. As we are spending taxpayers’ money, we must ensure that the works carried out on our behalf meet a set standard and stand the test of time. We envisage this will be achieved through an experience-based accreditation scheme.”

Uisce Éireann’s Strategic Funding Plan 2025-2029 outlines the estimated investment required to support the Government’s Housing for All programme. The Government has now committed to building 300,000 new homes by 2030.

To support this target, Uisce Éireann estimates that additional ring-fenced funding of €2 billion will be required between now and 2030. This funding would ensure the delivery of water services capacity needed for housing growth, along with key enabling policies, planning, and resourcing.

According to Bridgeman: “The additional funding being sought would focus on ensuring that the appropriate water and wastewater infrastructure is in place to facilitate new housing in areas prioritised under the National Planning Framework. It must also be coordinated with other utility and service providers to ensure investment delivers capacity where it is needed.”

The €2 billion figure is based on detailed analysis, and a forensic breakdown is underway to determine how best to allocate the funds for maximum return. Bridgeman reiterates that being subject to the Government’s annual budgetary process can hinder long-term certainty around capital and operational delivery: “A five-year allowance would enable Uisce Éireann and its key stakeholders to have the certainty, flexibility, and time needed to plan and deliver high-quality, multi-annual projects and operations.”

While Bridgeman sees his role as vital to supporting housing growth, he highlights two essential projects for long-term sustainability in the Greater Dublin Area and beyond. The Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region aims to provide a secure water supply for up to 50 per cent of the population, serving Dublin, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow, with potential future expansions. A planning application is expected in late 2025. Meanwhile, the Greater Dublin Drainage Project (GDD) includes a new treatment plant in Clonshaugh, County Dublin, designed to support 500,000 people and alleviate pressure on existing networks. GDD is required to be delivered by 2032 to ensure wastewater treatment capacity in the Dublin area is not exceeded. Both projects are fundamental to supporting growth and resilience across the region.

Uisce Éireann is committed to playing its part in helping to address the country’s need for housing. We urge all home builders to take proactive steps in engaging with Uisce Éireann as early collaboration is key to streamlined developments, driving economic and social growth while delivering the homes Ireland needs for the future. By working together we can reduce delays and create stronger communities.

Home builders can submit a pre-connection enquiry at Get Connected | Connections | Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water)