Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 November 2023
92. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will comment on a pilot wastewater scheme for unsewered villages and when he expects to announce the awardees of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52890/23]
View answerMy Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, using Exchequer funding, is delivering improvements to water services, including waste water, in areas of rural Ireland where Uisce Éireann water services are not available. The objectives of the programme are, through various funding measures, to improve the quality, reliability and efficiency of water services for rural dwellers.
In April 2022, I announced a new funding measure, as an advance stage of the upcoming multi-annual programme, for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services.
Funding of €50 million has been specifically allocated under the National Development Plan 2021-2030. The first round of funding is intended to follow a demonstration project model approach that will inform a longer-term strategic approach to the issue of waste water infrastructure in small villages not currently served by Uisce Éireann.
An independent Expert Panel has critically evaluated each application received and I will confirm approval of funding for specific projects in the coming weeks.
