Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1782. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if 100% funding will be provided to group water schemes for upgrade works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1418/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's new Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016 - 2018 was developed through a working group of key stakeholders involving local authorities, the Water Services Transition Office, Irish Water, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes as well as my Department.
Under the new programme there are five different funding measures available for group water schemes as follows:
- Measure 1 - Environmental and public health compliance (group water sector): This measure is aimed at improving water quality in existing group water schemes so that they can achieve compliance with the quality parameters of the Drinking Water Regulations 2014. Under this measure schemes are funded at the rate of 100% in the case of water quality works and at the rate of 85% for other necessary works subject to a maximum of €7,650 per house (based on a cost limit per house for the scheme of €9,000)
- Measure 2 - Enhancement of existing schemes (group water sector): This measure supports projects to make existing group water schemes more efficient in their operation (for example, water conservation, network upgrades and source protection). Under this measure schemes are funded at the rate of 85% subject to a maximum of €7,650 per house (based on a cost limit per house for the scheme of €9,000).
- Measure 3 - Rural development (group water sector): This measure supports social and economic development in rural towns and villages and their hinterlands by providing new group water schemes where public water supply schemes or private wells are not an option. Under this measure schemes are funded at the rate of 85% subject to a maximum of €7,650 per house (based on a cost limit per house for the scheme of €9,000).
- Measure 4 - Transition of group schemes to Public Water Sector (Irish Water): This measure enables group water schemes, where they wish to do so, to be taken in charge with the agreement of Irish Water. Under this measure funding is available at the rate of 100%.
- Measure 5 - Innovation and Research: This measure is aimed at issues in the rural water sector which, given the major transition of water services in Ireland, require new and innovative approaches. Under this measure projects are funded at the rate of 100%.
Infrastructural improvements to rural water services are essential, which is why the Government funds their improvements through the Rural Water Programme. In 2018, the Government has allocated €20 million for the programme, an increase of 12.4% on the 2017 allocation.
Serious challenges remain in relation to rural water services including in the areas of water quality and future management of group water schemes. In this context, my Department will shortly initiate a short, focused review of the wider investment needs relating to rural water services, including the overall approach to funding group water schemes.
