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Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Questions (280)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

280. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure that all orphan group water schemes, that is, schemes that no longer have trustees and are connected to the Irish Water supply, are brought up to standard and taken in charge by Irish Water; the estimated number of such schemes in the country; the estimated cost of doing this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7245/22]

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Written answers

My Department’s Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme includes a measure to provide funding to enable existing Group Water Schemes, including ‘orphan’ schemes, to progressively transition to the public water sector and be taken in charge by Irish Water.

In the Programme for 2019-2021, over 150 taking in charge projects, including ‘orphan’ schemes, were allocated funding of over €14.4 million, benefiting circa 15,300 households. This funding amounted to over 26% of the funding allocated under the Programme in 2019. The projects account for over 50% of the larger Public Group Water Schemes, those that are regulated under the Drinking Water Regulations 2014.

The funding demonstrates a significant commitment under the Programme to the progressive taking in charge of schemes where they wish to do so through a continuous, and on a priority basis, active taking in charge process. The Programme fully funds the cost associated with taking in charge to encourage take up.

Group Water Schemes are community-owned and community-run. The day-to-day management of my Department’s Rural Water Programme including taking in charge of group water schemes has been devolved to the local authorities. Currently my Department is awaiting a report regarding the governance and long term resourcing of the Rural Water Sector. The report will include data on all Group Water Schemes, including ‘orphan’ schemes. I expect the final Report will be with my Department in early Q2.

The taking in charge of group water schemes is demand led and continuously evolving, therefore, the full cost of the work cannot be accurately estimated. The work involved to bring each individual project to the basic standard required by Irish Water for taking in charge differs greatly due to multiple factors, including; the age, condition and location of these schemes. Estimated costs are prepared for projects as part of the bids process for each Programme.

It will take a number of funding Programmes to fully resolve ‘orphan’ schemes through taking in charge. However, significant progress has been made under the 2019-2021 funding Programme by local authorities and Irish Water working in partnership and that work is ongoing and continuing.

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