Skip to main content
Normal View

Wastewater Treatment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021

Tuesday, 25 May 2021

Questions (291)

Denis Naughten

Question:

291. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to expand on the six demonstration projects on the community connection to wastewater networks scheme; if he will provide details of the conclusions drawn from the six projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28157/21]

View answer

Written answers

A Rural Water Working Group was established in 2018 to conduct a review of the wider investment needs relating to rural water services. The Working Group's aim is to recommend measures to ensure an equitable outcome between those who receive water services from Irish Water and non-Irish Water customers.

The Working Group, which is chaired by my Department, includes the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, Environmental Protection Agency, Health Service Executive, Department of Rural and Community Development and local authorities, through the County and City Management Association. In undertaking its work, it also consults with other key stakeholders, particularly Irish Water.

Under the current Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021, six demonstration Community Wastewater Connection projects were approved for funding. These projects will have until the end of 2021 to be fully or substantially completed. However if they are not completed by this time period, the projects will continue to be eligible for funding to proceed to completion under the 2022-2024 funding cycle. Once these projects are completed, my Department will then be in a position to carry out a review and draw conclusions on these projects.

The Working Group will shortly be considering the scope of the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2024. Their report will make recommendations on the measures, including Community Wastewater Connections, to be funded in the next cycle of the multi-annual programme. Following my consideration of these recommendations, I expect to announce details of the programme priorities and the invitation to submit bids should issue to local authorities in Q3 this year.

Top
Share