In line with the suspension of domestic water charges, as set out in the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016, and to ensure equity of treatment with households on public water supplies, the subvention for those on group water schemes was restored to the level that pertained prior to the introduction of domestic water charges for households connected to the public water supply for the same period as set out in the Act. Details of the revised subsidy rates are available on my Department’s website at : http://housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues.
The consideration by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Water Services of the report of the Expert Commission on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services and the outcome of the Oireachtas process will be a determinant in any future financial implications that may arise for the subsidisation of group water schemes.