Calls for water infrastructure spend

Housing Minister Simon Coveney is being urged to ensure €148m in unspent funds for water meter installations instead goes towards fixing urban pipes and drainage systems.

A decision by Irish Water not to install up to 180,000 water meters at present should allow the company reallocate funds into capital infrastructure projects, Opposition TDs argue.

Minister Coveney says the saved money will go on non-domestic water meter upgrades and towards water works on lands that can be used to help address the housing shortage.