The government must clarify who is telling the truth about €1bn in funding – it or Uisce Éireann, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan.
Deputy O’Callaghan, the party’s Finance spokesperson, said:
“Last year, then Finance Minister Jack Chamber and then Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien both claimed that the sale of AIB shares had led to an additional €1bn in funding for Uisce Éireann.
“However, Uisce Éireann has denied this is the case and has revealed that this funding was part of its existing capital investment plan.
“This government has already misled the public on their commitment to deliver 40,000 homes; it misled the public when it claimed it met its affordable housing targets last year; and now it seems to have misled the public again on funding for Uisce Éireann.
“This government has been more focused on trying to appoint a housing tsar on a salary of €430,000 than doing anything constructive to actually deliver more homes.
“It beggars belief that, at a time when the coffers are overflowing, and in the midst of a worsening housing catastrophe, it can’t even manage to provide additional finance for critical infrastructure.
“This government is more concerned with spinning than delivery and this latest revelation is further evidence that it cannot be trusted to address the housing disaster.
“It is now time for the government to clarify who is telling the truth – Uisce Éireann or its own ministers?”
May 6, 2025