Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1554. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce an awareness campaign for water conservation and provide information on methods of water harvesting for domestic and business purposes; if he will provide a grant scheme for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34127/14]
View answerI recently published a consultation document on the work programme and the timeframe for the second cycle of river basin management plans which are required for the ongoing implementation of the Water Framework Directive. River basin management planning takes an integrated approach to the protection, improvement and sustainable management of our water environment and I expect that promoting water conservation and raising public awareness will be important features of the plans that will be adopted.
Irish Water has an overall remit to promote water conservation in relation to public water services and I understand that a comprehensive water conservation programme will be undertaken by the company and will cover the full spectrum of measures including customer awareness and education campaigns about water conservation.
I am fully supportive of technologies which contribute to the conservation of water. Rainwater harvesting has the potential to benefit the environment and contribute to reducing the cost of water services for certain uses. However, the introduction of a grants scheme for any purpose must be managed within current budgetary constraints and, in so far as the funds administered by my Department are concerned, there are currently no plans to introduce a scheme for the installation of rainwater harvesting systems.
