Minister Browne announces fourfold increase in investment in water quality initiatives in 2026

€42 million allocated to key targeted initiatives in 2026: Farming for Water EIP; urban nature based solutions and the National Barrier Mitigation Programme

Measures to scale up key initiatives to improve water quality in both rural and urban settings

Funding will support the work of local authorities in urban settings, improve river habitats and bolster targeted measures for agriculture

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD have announced an investment of €42 million in funding for the Department’s Water Quality capital programme for 2026. This figure represents a fourfold increase year on year in the Department’s

allocation to key, targeted initiatives to address water quality. These water quality initiatives are in response to commitments made in the 2024 Water Action Plan. They also complement significant additional investment in water services infrastructure projects being delivered by Uisce Éireann.

The funding will be used to scale up and enhance targeted initiatives in both rural and urban settings: the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP); urban nature based solution projects to manage surface water drainage and the barrier mitigation programme to improve river habitats for fish, for example, impassable weirs and dams.

Minister Browne commented:

“This funding demonstrates that the commitment of improving water quality remains at the forefront of this Government’s aims. This investment by my Department reflects our ambitions for clean, healthy waters and acknowledges the good work already underway through programmes such as Farming for Water EIP, the rollout of Nature Based Solutions in urban areas and the National Barrier Mitigation Programme.

I want to accelerate the progress being made through these programmes to improve water quality. This funding will be a valuable support to bolster the targeted measures being put into action by local authorities and through direct action with landowners involved in the Farming for Water EIP.”

Minister O’Sullivan continued:

“This investment underscores our commitment to nature and its restoration. By improving water quality in our rivers and lakes, we strengthen habitats and help entire ecosystems to thrive. The funding will drive action across private lands, urban areas and river systems—taking practical steps for water and nature in diverse settings.

These initiatives, particularly the National Barrier Mitigation Programme, directly contribute towards the upcoming Nature Restoration Plan’s water ecosystem targets—restoring free‑flowing rivers and improving the ecological status of water-related habitats —and this support will accelerate delivery. I want to acknowledge the many partners, and the communities, farmers and landowners whose efforts are vital to improving water quality.”

The funding will be allocated to the following initiatives:

Expansion of Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP)

Farming for Water EIP is a pilot project launched in March 2024 to address losses of phosphorus, nitrogen, sediment and, where relevant, pesticides to water from agricultural lands. The project is managed by LAWPRO in partnership with Teagasc and Dairy Industry Ireland, working directly with farmers, advising and funding measures to lead to water quality improvement. Funding under the Farming for Water EIP is directed to farms in Priority Areas for Action and can be used for over forty measures which includes the creation of riparian buffer zones, hedge and tree planting and fencing along river areas for farms. The additional allocation for 2026 will further support and strengthen this highly important water protection action. Over 4,300 farmers have signed up to date.

Enhancing water quality in urban areas using nature based solutions

Funding will be allocated to the construction of urban nature based solution projects to manage surface water drainage and rainfall. This funding stream will facilitate upscaling and mainstreaming nature based solutions (NBS) working in partnership with Local Authorities to advance an existing pipeline of projects in the urban environment over the next five years. These projects will build on the work carried out by LAWPRO in the last few years. Nature based solutions are increasingly important in the context of climate change and climate adaptation, particularly related to flooding. Nature based solutions use nature, plants and soils to manage, store and clean water before it enters a drainage system. Between 2024 and to date in 2025 20 urban NBS capital projects have been completed. Learnings from these projects will be integrated into all relevant aspects of public sector infrastructure delivery.

Improving river habitats by removing barriers (barrier mitigation)

The National Barrier Mitigation Programme which is being delivered in conjunction with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) will be invested in. This programme will increase the habitat available for migratory fish and restore natural sediment processes in rivers that provide important habitats for a range of native species. IFI will deliver this programme in conjunction with other state agencies, such as local authorities, and other partners by removing barriers or mitigating against the impacts of barriers in our rivers. Since 2024 there have been 14 barriers fully mitigated and there are currently 27 barrier mitigations active.

Ongoing capital investment in water protection initiatives

Funding will also be allocated to support a wide range of ongoing capital investment in water protection initiatives operated by the Local Authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and directly by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. Examples include: ICT systems development, environmental assessments, north/south collaboration and research.