Water Services Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2017

Tuesday, 24 January 2017

Questions (238)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

238. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has received a request from Clare County Council's rural water monitoring committee to clarify the definition of multi-annual programming in the rural water sector and to ensure that the full RWP allocations for 2017 and subsequent years are made as early as possible in the year and preferably in the first quarter in order that moneys can be fully drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2556/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I can confirm that Clare County Council's Rural Water Monitoring Committee has sought a clarification in relation to my Department’s new Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018 and a reply will issue shortly.

In 2016 an Expert Panel, convened for the purpose, considered bids from local authorities for schemes for the period 2016-2018 under Measures 3, 4 and 5 of the multi-annual programme. The subsequent approval of schemes in the programme under these three measures brought certainty to their inclusion in the programme, allows their preliminary preparation to commence and will enable my Department to make an early allocation of funding for them in 2017. My Department will soon seek bids from local authorities for Measures 1 and 2 of the programme for 2017.

A copy of the Expert Panel’s report and consideration of all proposals under Measures 3, 4 and 5 of the Programme is available on my Department’s website at the following link –

http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues.