Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness has called on the Government to intervene to support residents of Woodlands Estate in Portlaw, following a packed meeting of the Woodlands Residents’ Association where frustration over the estate’s longstanding water issues was clear.

Deputy McGuinness attended the meeting to hear residents’ concerns firsthand. Despite being invited, no Government TD or councillor attended to hear directly from those affected.

Residents outlined the unfair burden they continue to face as a result of the estate’s developer-provided water infrastructure. For years they have been required to pay annual charges for their water supply when the estate should long since have been connected to the public network.

Deputy McGuinness said he and Sinn Féin Councillor Catherine Burke have consistently pursued the issue with Uisce Éireann, Waterford City and County Council and in the Dáil.

“That work has secured important progress. Uisce Éireann has confirmed that Woodlands can be connected to the public water supply and is preparing a detailed design and delivery programme, with a project timeline expected once that work is complete.

“While that is welcome, residents are still facing a lengthy wait. Existing arrangements remain in place in the meantime, meaning families continue to carry the financial burden of a problem they did not create.

“Now that the need for a permanent solution has been acknowledged, the Government must step in to ensure residents are not left paying increasing charges while they wait for the connection to the public network.

“It was disappointing that, despite invitations, no Government representative attended the meeting to hear directly from residents. People wanted answers and a commitment to action.

“This is not an isolated issue. Across Waterford, communities have been left behind by years of underinvestment in water and wastewater infrastructure. Estates like Woodlands, together with Riverside and Waters Edge in Dungarvan, have waited far too long. In Bonmahon and Lismore, housing is being held back by a lack of capacity, while communities such as Touraneena, Fews, Kilmeadan and Ballyduff continue to experience recurring water supply problems.

“People deserve better. What is needed now is investment and political will, not more delays.

“I will continue to raise the situation facing Woodlands residents in the Dáil until they are connected to the public water supply and this longstanding injustice is finally resolved.”