Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has examined the number of group water schemes in place or pending in all areas with a view to ascertaining if reliable provision and structures can be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11867/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring 2015, my Department established a working group involving key stakeholders in the rural water sector, which includes group water schemes, to address the development of the sector within the overall water reform programme to ensure that the programme responds effectively to current and future needs. Local authorities, the Water Services Transition Office, Irish Water, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and my Department are represented on the working group. The tasks of the group include the development of a multi-annual approach to targeting funding to meet priority needs of the sector and to ensure that there is appropriate integration of the Department's Rural Water Programme and Irish Water's Capital Investment Programme so as to fully support rural development and address any environmental issues that may arise. The compilation of a full dataset of group water schemes across the country including the mapping of such schemes is a critical aspect in the development of this sector.
The working group is also considering a number of areas where there are potential boundary issues with Irish Water or legacy issues which need to be addressed and new approaches in this area will be informed by a number of demonstration projects or pilot schemes.
In January 2016, my Department wrote to local authorities advising them of a new multi-annual approach to the funding of group water schemes for 2016 and beyond under the rural water programme. This will ultimately lead to the development of appropriate prioritised lists of schemes for funding and a series of demonstration projects which will assist in further evolving the programme of investment. Details of the new multi-annual programme are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Water/WaterServices/RuralWaterProgramme/.
My Department is currently considering local authorities' bids for funding and allocations to authorities under the new programme will be provided shortly.
