Vol. 487 No. 6
245 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the responsibility in his Department regarding the provision of funding for water and sanitary services through the aegis of the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4869/98]
Responsibility for providing water and sewerage services is vested in the local authorities in accordance with the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878-1964.
Funding is provided by my Department to the local authorities, by way of voted capital under the subhead for water supply and sewerage schemes, towards the capital cost of water and sewerage projects. In the case of major capital projects costing more than £250,000, funding is approved on an individual project basis. In the case of smaller public projects and group schemes, funding is provided by means of block grants to local authorities who decide priorities within their own areas. Expenditure by local authorities on individual water supply grants and group water scheme subsidy is recouped to the local authorities on foot of valid claims.
There are no proposals at present to change the method of funding for water and sewerage services.
