Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
876. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the grant for upgrading to a water filter system has been cut to €1,000 under the multi-annual rural water programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11851/20]
View answerUnder the Housing (Private Water Supply Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020, the grant scheme to support improvement works for a private water supply has been revised. This revised scheme forms part of the funding investment under Measure 8 of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019 to 2021.
Following an examination of the previous arrangements, consultation with stakeholders including local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Service Executive, and consideration of the matter by the Rural Water Working Group, the revised scheme brings into effect the following changes
A maximum grant for rehabilitation works of €3,000 (which represents an increase of 47% on the current maximum grant amount);
Where the local authority agrees that the most appropriate solution is to provide a new well, a maximum grant of €5,000 has been introduced;
Recognising the role of the grant in improving quality, the water quality treatment element (typically filtration and UV filtration) will qualify for 100% funding up to a maximum of €1,000.
- The maximum percentage of approved costs is being increased from 75% to 85%, subject to the total combined maximum costs of €3,000 for well rehabilitation or €5,000 for a new well.
- The qualifying age of a house before an application can be made remains at 7 years and the period before a further application can be made also remains 7 years. However, applicants are now permitted to make a second application if the maximum grant was not fully utilised within the seven-year period
These changes form part of the larger investment already being made through the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, to support the communities and local economies of rural Ireland. The Government continues to work with local authorities to ensure that people living in rural Ireland have access to quality water services, equivalent to those living in urban communities.
The relevant Circular issued to local authorities on 4 June and full details of the Terms and Conditions can be found on the Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/private-wells
