Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011
356 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider grant aiding community and sports centre controlled by local authorities and local communities across the State to provide rain water harvesting facilities which would be welcomed in view of the amount of treated water used in these types of community complexes. [24948/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 353 on today's Order Paper which sets out my Department's general policy position in relation to rainwater harvesting and addresses certain operational issues arising in the use of these technologies. Funding of €427 million is available for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013 under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-13. Some 36 Local Action Groups are contracted on my Department's behalf to deliver the RDP throughout the country. These groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with departmental operating rules and EU regulations. There is scope for funding water harvesting facilities under the conservation measure of the rural development programme which is subject to a range of eligibility criteria. Funding cannot be made available to public bodies under the RDP. However, it may be possible to consider funding applications in respect of initiatives that are organised, managed and led at community level. Contact details for the 36 Local Action Groups are available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.
