Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 April 2012
155 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the provision by his Department of adequate funding and supports to ensure group water schemes continue to carry out their important rural water delivery service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21023/12]
View answerMy Department provides funding towards group water schemes by way of annual block grant allocations to local authorities under the Department's Rural Water Programme. Responsibility for the administration of this programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection and approval of individual group scheme proposals for funding and advancement under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocation provided, is therefore a matter for the water services authorities. The 2012 allocation for the Rural Water Programme is €40 million, of which over €20 million was notified to local authorities last month by way of block grant allocations towards group water schemes. In addition, group water schemes can qualify for subsidy funding towards their operational costs. This subsidy scheme, for which some €21 million is being provided this year, is also administered by the local authorities.
