Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2013
156. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline in comprehensive detail the supports which are available for persons who wish to put in place a group sewerage scheme, including the financial assistance by way of grant aid that is available from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3639/13]
View answerResponsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997.
Last month I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost, whichever was the lesser.
I propose, in the first instance, to carry out a number of pilot schemes based on the increased grant level. My Department asked local authorities to include in their requests for funding under the 2013 Rural Water Programme proposals for group sewerage schemes which might be viable based on the increased grant. The selection of the pilot schemes and related funding arrangements will be completed as soon as possible after examination of the proposals recently received from local authorities.
