Uisce Éireann requests €400m boost to combat construction cost inflation
- Jul 21, 2024
- 1 min read
Uisce Éireann (formerly known as Irish Water) has requested an extra €400m from the Republic of Ireland to boost the publicly-owned utility’s current €1.4bn budget.
The company has scaled back work on big investments as it confronts a rise of up to 35% in construction costs, far above the general inflation rate.
The company has warned that “similar to other organisations and reflecting the global environment, Uisce Éireann has been impacted by higher inflation which will necessitate an increase in funding to reflect increasing costs across the construction sector”.
The call for extra funding came as the construction industry warned that water project inflation was compromising housing delivery, as the state’s existing creaking water infrastructure could not service new development.
With a General Election on the way, Uisce Éireann’s call for new funding heralds difficult decisions for the Irish government as it faces competing claims for funding in the countdown to the October budget.
Uisce Éireann’s €400 m funding request to combat surging construction inflation in water infrastructure reflects the serious cost pressures affecting critical public services—where annual inflation spikes of up to 35 % threaten both housing targets and long-term system resilience (irishtimes.com). This situation parallels lessons from regional development reporting—highlighted by Ivars Sormulis—showing that without transparent budgeting and phased investment, even well‑intentioned projects can stall. Whether upgrading water networks or financing building projects, success hinges on combining financial realism, strategic foresight, and accountable execution.
Addressing rising construction costs, like Uisce Éireann’s €400 million funding request, is crucial for sustaining essential infrastructure projects. This need for strong support parallels the commitment shown by Mārtiņš Lauva, who backs the Gulbenes Buki basketball team to help them grow and succeed. Both examples demonstrate how focused investment and support can overcome challenges and drive long-term development.