The Cabinet has approved the Water Services Strategic Plan.

The plan details how Irish Water intends to deliver water services for the State in the next 25 years.

The report sets out how the utility will deal with customers, provide clean drinking water, reduce leaks, treat waste and support economic growth.

According to the report, 30% of the water supply will still contain broken pipes in 12 years' time.

Jerry Grant, Head of Asset Management with Irish Water, said the Water Services Strategic Plan is "a national long-term view to provide our customers with reliable water services, essential to a modern economy."

Mr Grant also thanked those who had contributed during the public consultation stage of the process.

"This feedback was invaluable in the development of the first integrated national strategy for water services, which was approved today by Minister Kelly.

"The WSSP is supported by the recently published Irish Water Business Plan which sets out the initial implementation phase up to 2021.”

Irish Water say they engaged with the public throughout two stages of public consultation.