Residents not able to move into houses in Limerick's county town

A HOUSING estate in Newcastle West has been completed, but its first residents are unable to move in because the homes cannot be connected to the sewerage network.

That’s according to two of the town’s councillors, Michael Collins and Jerome Scanlan.

Now, crisis talks have been held between council bosses and Uisce Eireann with a view to having temporary sewage facilities installed to enable the homes to be occupied - and new ones built against the backdrop of the housing crisis.

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At this month’s council meeting, Cllr Tom Ruddle saw a notice of motion passed calling for Government to intervene.

As things stand, with Uisce Eireann still up to five years away from opening a new sewerage plant in Newcastle West, development in the town is potentially on hold until then.

“I know there are places where people are trying to build houses, and they are being held up because sewage is the issue. We are the biggest town in the county, it’s a place growing at a very fast rate,” he said. “We cannot continue with nothing happening.”

His party colleague, Cllr Liam Galvin added: “It’s a sad state of affairs in 2025 in the county town of this local authority that we cannot build a house.”

He took a swipe at campaigners who forced the abolition of water charges.

“The people out there shouting and roaring ‘not a penny for Enda Kenny’ and ‘no way, we won’t pay'. This is a result of that.

It’s a clear result of Uisce Eireann being underfunded,” Cllr Galvin, said.

Cllr Collins said the fact some housing estates are ready and unable to be used is causing “immense cost” to developers who owe money.

The Fianna Fail man also said some developers have secured planning permission, but if that lapses, they will need to go again and spend more money doing so.

Cllr Stephen Keary warned some builders could go out of business, and said that the installation of temporary sewers should be fast-tracked.

Council director in Newcastle West Vincent Murray said it’s important this issue is prioritised.

An Uisce Eireann spokesperson said a planning application is due for a new system in the first quarter of 2026.

Given the time this takes, with securing permission, designing, tendering, construction and commission, it could be five years before it is ready.