To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what actions she is taking to ensure that the strains on the waste water system in the Strangford constituency do not impact on the building of new homes and new businesses.

Ms Mallon

I am aware of the increasing issues at waste water treatment works and in the sewerage system. I am concerned that that is having an impact on the environment and on planning decisions in respect of housing and business developments seeking connection to the sewerage network across the North. I have outlined to Executive colleagues the pressures facing my Department, including those of water and waste water. I have also made representations directly to the Finance Minister and impressed on him the need for investment to ensure that we can provide the critical infrastructure needed to ensure that we build the many more homes that we need and to drive economic growth, so that we can improve the lives of citizens right across Northern Ireland. In the Strangford constituency, the following capital investment schemes are scheduled by Northern Ireland Water to start in its current price-control period: new waste water treatment works in Ballygowan, an investment of approximately £6 million; and new waste water treatment works at Ards North at a value of £18 million that will serve Ballywalter, Ballyhaskin and Carrowdore. Those works are scheduled to achieve their beneficial use early in the next price-control period, known as PC21, which starts in 2021. In PC21, investment of around £143 million has been identified to address waste water system capacity issues affecting development in the Strangford constituency.

However, all PC21 projects are subject to prioritisation and the availability of adequate funding. I therefore welcome the commitments made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement to address years of underfunding in waste water and am working with the Finance Minister and my other Executive colleagues to secure the level of finance required.

Ms Mallon

It is an area that I have begun to look at. I am beginning to engage with a range of stakeholders, because the facts are "No drains, no cranes". It is about how we can work collaboratively and in partnership to address the issue. At some point in the not too distant future, I hope to write to Executive colleagues to see whether there are other things that we could do around developers' contributions, but I am certainly of the view that we have a huge issue when it comes to matching the need for investment in our waste water infrastructure. There is a lot that my Department could do with developers and housing associations on sustainable drainage systems. It is very much an area that I intend to focus on, going forward.

Ms Anderson

Last week, our Committee was at NI Water, which outlined its PC21 priorities. I was shocked to discover that Derry, Strabane and Omagh were not included, given the level of inequalities in the north-west. I want to ask about the Seán Dolan's development scheme in Creggan, because I know that there is a massive hole in the budget caused by British austerity cuts. Given that the development is for almost 100 houses, we need a sewage and waste water treatment plant built there. The developers say that they are willing to assist but that NI Water has to adopt that, if that is the case. Will she look at that?

Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr McGlone)

I advise the Minister that it is at her discretion whether she answers that. A supplementary question has to be related to the original question. I leave it to the Minister's discretion.

Ms Mallon

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. It is an important issue. There are now 116 areas in Northern Ireland where we are constrained in terms of planning applications and being able to build homes and grow our economy. It is an issue not just for the Department for Infrastructure but for all of us, and I recognise that there are particular pinch points. I want to work with all Members and Ministers so that we can deliver homes — that is very important to me — but also create the opportunities to grow our economy in places such as Derry and Strabane and across Northern Ireland.

Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr McGlone)

Before I move to the next question, I advise Members who are seated not to interrupt while another Member has the Floor. That is my job. OK? Thank you.

Mr Humphrey

The Minister will be aware of the pressures on the waste water system at Duncrue Street. As a result of her conversations with the Finance Minister and other Ministers, is she any closer to being able to inform the House about the upgrading of that centre?

Ms Mallon

I can assure the Member that discussions have taken place and are taking place. As he will know, there has been no allocation of the budget, so I cannot give him a definitive response to that question. I can, however, reassure him that, for me, investment in our waste water infrastructure is critical. If we are serious about delivering on the outcomes in our Programme for Government, it is essential. I will not be found wanting in continuing to make representations or in working with all Executive colleagues to see that ambition realised.

Mrs Barton

Does the Minister accept that it is her responsibility and that of the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that there is sufficient capital investment to enable Northern Ireland Water to treat waste water and protect the environment and that it is not enough for some Ministers to say what they would not do, without offering a solution to the problem?

Ms Mallon

I agree very much with the Member that it is essential that we ensure that our citizens have access to clean, safe drinking water and safe water treatment works. That is also essential if we are serious about growing our economy, tackling regional imbalance, tackling the climate emergency and improving people's lives. I welcome the approach being taken in the Programme for Government. This issue demonstrates that responsibility does not reside solely in one Department: we all have a responsibility. I have made the case on the issue to Executive colleagues, and they have been very responsive. Mindful that we are in a difficult period that will bring with it its own financial difficulties, I hope that, when we see budget allocations, we will work together to begin to address this. There have been years upon years of underinvestment in our waste water infrastructure, and we are coming to a critical point.

Mr McNulty

I thank the Minister for the swift measures that she has implemented to help tackle the unprecedented challenge that we all face: coronavirus/COVID-19. What impact has this place being closed for three years had on DFI's ability to provide sufficient capacity in the waste water infrastructure to enable the building of new homes and businesses?

Ms Mallon

My Department has been severely impacted on in respect of its responsibilities. All Departments have been severely impacted on because, for three years, we had no one in charge. We had no one in position to make decisions so that we could do things in an improved way or begin to do things in a new way. People will be frustrated about what has happened in the past three years. This is the issue for us now: how ambitious are we for this place of ours? How committed are we to working together to ensure that we improve the lives of everybody who lives here, particularly the most vulnerable? We can look back, and we can be angry and frustrated. I choose to look forward. I choose to work with Executive colleagues in good faith. The people of Northern Ireland have been let down for three years. We now need to lift them up and deliver so much more for them.

Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr McGlone)

As question 4 has been withdrawn, I call Jonathan Buckley.