Written Answers Nos. 523-547
526. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the new grants scheme for the upgrading of bore wells; the rates available to applicants; his plans to expand the grant to new homes which experience the same issues with water mains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20731/20]
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 multi-stakeholder Rural Water Working Group put in place in 2018, the revised scheme brings into effect the following changes:
- A maximum grant for rehabilitation works of €3,000;
- A maximum grant of €5,000 has been introduced, in cases where the local authority agrees that the most appropriate solution is to provide a new well.
The maximum percentage of approved costs is being increased from 75% to 85%, subject to the total maximum costs of either €3,000 for well rehabilitation or €5,000 for a new well.
Recognising the role of the grant in improving quality, the water quality treatment element (typically filtration and UV treatment) will qualify for 100% funding up to a maximum of €1,000.
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 at 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 new grant scheme for private water supplies is administered by the local authorities on behalf of my Department.
In implementing the revised arrangements, my Department has undertaken to conduct a review of the grant scheme after one year of operation to ensure its alignment with policy objectives.
528. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the large housing development planned for Waterrock, County Cork and the local concerns regarding a history of flooding on the site; the additional work or investigation that has been carried out regarding the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20751/20]
View answerHousing development within in its area of responsibility, is a matter for Cork County Council, in the first instance, as a planning and housing authority.
My Department is supporting housing delivery in Midleton via the Serviced Sites Fund and the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund.
I understand that Cork County Council has confirmed that the Water Rock Urban Expansion Area Infrastructure Works are justified in accordance with “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management” 2009 guidelines and appropriate for this strategic housing location in Metropolitan Cork.
529. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the proposed social housing development at a location (details supplied); his views on the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20764/20]
View answerNo funding proposal has been made to my Department in respect of the project referenced. The advancement of social housing proposals is a matter, in the first instance, for local authorities.
530. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the payments for services or goods by his Department to a company (details supplied) since 2015. [20779/20]
View answerAn examination of records indicates that my Department has not made any payments for goods or services to the company in question since 2015.
