Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2023
150. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the multi-annual rural water programme call-out to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5751/23]
View answerMy Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services.
The Rural Water Working Group will shortly finalise the composition of the measures for inclusion for funding under the upcoming multi-annual programme. When I have had an opportunity to consider their report, I expect to announce details of the programme priorities, along with an invitation to local authorities to submit bids, in the coming months.
An Expert Panel will then evaluate all appropriate bids and, based on the recommendations of the Panel, a report will be submitted for my consideration and approval later this year.
It should be noted that in April 2022, I announced an advanced element of funding of €50m of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages and Settlements without access to public waste water services. Local authorities have been given an opportunity to submit bids for funding. Valid bids are currently being evaluated by the Expert Panel and I expect to be in a position to announce successful projects soon.
