Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
92. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to make a decision on the applications made to his Department in respect of developing sewage schemes for the villages of Broadford and Cooraclare, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48826/23]
View answerMy Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, using Exchequer funding, is delivering improvements to water services, including waste water, in areas of rural Ireland where Uisce Éireann water services are not available. The aim of the multi-annual programme is, through various funding measures, to provide robust and resilient water services, that are value for money and are compliant with regulations.
In April 2022, I announced a new funding measure, as an advance stage of the upcoming multi-annual programme, for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services.
Funding of €50 million has been specifically allocated under the National Development Plan 2021-2030. The first round of funding is intended to follow a demonstration project model approach to inform future funding needs that will provide appropriate longer-term solutions.
An independent Expert Panel has critically evaluated each application received and I will confirm approval of funding for specific projects in the coming weeks.
