Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014
556. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 12 March 2014, if he has progressed the group sewerage scheme grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22900/14]
View answerAs indicated in my reply to Question No. 44 of 12 March 2014, 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, in December 2012. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever was the lesser.
I proposed, 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 pilot group sewerage schemes which might be viable based on the increased grant. Following an examination of the proposals received, I approved grant assistance towards pilot schemes in nine different counties in 2013.
A review of progress on the selected pilot schemes was carried out earlier this year. Following consideration of this review, I do not see a need to further enhance the group sewerage scheme grant beyond the level I increased it to in December 2012.
Last month, I approved grants totalling over €2.7 million towards proposed new group sewerage schemes under my Department’s 2014 Rural Water Programme. Progress on these schemes is now a matter for the relevant local authorities.
