I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter in relation to Newport and wider infrastructure and wastewater in County Mayo. At the outset, I advise that Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. Neither the Minister, Deputy Browne, nor I have operational function in local issues in Mayo to which the Deputy referred.
Both our water and wastewater systems require substantial and sustained investment over a number of investment cycles to bring the system up to the quality and standards required of a modern service to provide for population growth and build resilience in the face of climate change. I acknowledge as a member of Government that we have to sustain the investment we are continuing to put into Uisce Éireann in this respect. It should also be noted that since the establishment of Uisce Éireann, significant improvements have been made in the delivery of water services with the help of contractors and subcontractors. Hundreds of water and wastewater treatment plants have been upgraded along with thousands of kilometres of new or rehabilitated water mains installed. The national leakage rate has been reduced and the overall quality of drinking water remains very high in this country.
Uisce Éireann has steadily grown its capital investment in our water infrastructure, from €300 million in 2014 to €1.4 billion as part of budget 2026. This investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area, making a significant contribution to addressing Ireland's needs.
That being said, I have made inquiries in relation to the items raised by the Deputy. It is worth noting that significant progress is being made on projects across County Mayo with investment of €114.8 million in water and wastewater infrastructure planned from 2025 to 2029. Works are continuing at Claremorris Wastewater Treatment Plant, where an €18 million upgrade commenced late last year. An upgrade of Ballyhaunis Wastewater Treatment Plant will provide capacity increase from 4,000 population equivalent, PE, to 6,600 PE. The total estimated cost of that project is €15 miIlion and Uisce Éireann plans to commence its construction next year. Two of the largest drinking water infrastructure projects currently being advanced are the Ballina and Lough Talt water supply upgrade and the €29 million upgrade of the Lough Mask Water Treatment Plant.
Specifically on Newport, the treatment plant is one of the key wastewater projects in the Uisce Éireann programme. A programme of survey and data collection works are currently under way, which will provide essential information to support technical assessments, environmental evaluations and the preparation of a maritime area consent, MAC, application. Securing this consent is a significant project milestone and must be achieved before a planning application for the proposed wastewater treatment plant can be submitted.
My Fine Gael colleagues in Mayo have engaged extensively with me in relation to the delays in the maritime usage licence, MUL, process. The difficulties have been ironed out in that respect, as the Deputy will be aware, and these have been largely resolved at MARA level. It is the intention that this will be progressed to MAC by the end of this year.