My Department builds its strategic water policy and infrastructure delivery programmes around the National Planning Framework 2018-2040 and the National Development Plan 2021-2030. Investment is primarily delivered through Irish Water, while my Department operates the Rural Water Programme directly.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water takes a strategic, nationwide approach to asset planning and investment, and meeting customer requirements. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects and programmes is a matter for determination by Irish Water.
On 11 February 2021 officials of the Department of Community and Rural Development held a bilateral meeting on islands policy with officials of my Department. At the meeting my officials discussed existing water services on the islands including on the Aran Islands. The scope of my Departments Rural Water Programme was also discussed. Plans for any special allocation of finance focused on waste water services on the islands, including the Aran Islands were not explored.
I announced a new funding measure on 28 April 2022 under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025, for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages and Settlements that do not have access to public waste water services. An allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan for the period 2021 to 2025 for the new measure. Details of the scheme, including terms and conditions and the relevant accompanying documents are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a524a-group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues/#waste-water-collection-and-treatment-needs-for-villages-and-settlements-without-access-to-public-waste-water-services.
It is now open to all local authorities to submit applications for funding and I encourage them to do so. Completed applications should be submitted in advance of the deadline of 15 September 2022.
