Extensive Water Action Plan (WAP) delays

Of actions under the Water Action Plan 2024: A River Basin Management Plan for Ireland (WAP), 32 per cent (140) have been completed and 16 per cent (71) are delayed, a new review has found.

The Interim Review on the Implementation of the Water Action Plan 2024, published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in June 2026, finds that 17 per cent of actions (77) are on schedule. Additionally, 6 per cent (28) were not scheduled for commencement during the review period, delivery is ongoing throughout the third cycle for 26 per cent (114), and 1 per cent (3) are at risk of delay.

The review says 2 per cent (10) are not included in the review as they will be tracked through catchment management work plans (CMWPs) and local authority water action work plans (LA WAWAPs).

There are 46 CMWPs which support the 11 sectoral action work plans across seven sectors. Sectoral action work plans provide the list of actions proposed nationally while the CMWPs indicate where those actions are planned by all sectors in individual water bodies. LA WAWAPs set out what each local authority is doing to improve and protect water quality.
Delivered actions

WAP is Ireland’s third river basin management plan and covers the period 2022 to 2027. A requirement under the EU Water Framework Directive, it sets actions aimed at protecting and restoring water quality in Ireland.

Under WAP, the Programme Delivery Office has been established in the Department. The office is intended to oversee and coordinate the various bodies that manage, implement, and enforce legislation and policies relevant to the Water Framework Directive. It is also tasked with developing the next Water Action Plan for the period 2028-2033.

Ten of the 11 sectoral action work plans have been published. The review says the development of the sectoral action work plan for invasive alien species, led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is on hold due to resource constraints.

The National Agricultural Inspection Programme has been established with an aim to strengthen inspection and enforcement relating to agricultural diffuse pollution. In December 2026, the Sixth Nitrates Action Programme was published. The programme gives effect to the Nitrates Directive and is aimed at preventing pollution of surface waters and groundwater from agricultural nutrients, and to protect and improve water quality.

Additionally, the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership project, intended to support farmers to improve water quality, is now underway. A National Barriers Programme has also been established to improve connectivity in catchments. It is designed to remove man-made barriers affecting fish migration and water quality.

Challenges

The review identifies the availability, standard, and efficient flow of data as a challenge to the implementation of the WAP. It says these challenges have been “escalated” to the Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC) which will oversee progress on resolving these issues. The WPAC advises the Department on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

On data flow, the review says: “Work is underway to establish data flows through the CMWP development process and WPAC will be kept informed on progress.”

The review asserts that “the availability and quality of data is vital”, outlining that reviews of major programmes will provide insights into implementation and effectiveness at water body scale. It adds that this will “inform policy to allow for further acceleration during the remainder of the third cycle and into the fourth cycle”.

The review also identifies delays to projects as a challenge. Delays extend to recruitment, procurement, identification of appropriate locations, feasibility studies, option selection, and design.

The review outlines that the National Barriers Programme has experienced staff recruitment issues. It is nearing its full complement of staff, “but recruitment has been hampered by having to compete in a buoyant national jobs market”, it says.

It also says legal complexities arise from barrier mitigation programme projects. It says this is especially evident with respect to structure ownership and the planning system, which it says “can be onerous in nature and take time to conclude”. Work is ongoing to resolve these issues, the review asserts.

It also says there are seasonal constraints as these projects can only take place between July and September. The review adds: “Therefore, any delays in the process can be magnified and have knock on effects for the overall programme.”

It says numerous actions have been delayed due to resource constraints. However, it adds: “Significant progress has been made in building capacity to support an integrated catchment management approach over the last two river basin management planning cycles with.”

It identifies the establishment of the Local Authority Waters Programme, the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme, and the National Agricultural Inspection Programme as examples of progress.

Commenting on the review during a Dáil Éireann debate in June 2026, Minister for Housing James Browne TD said: “It is recognised in scientific terms that improvements in addressing water quality takes time to be reflected in outcomes, but significant progress is being made in addressing the challenges we face.”