Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Ceisteanna (818)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

818. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 637 of 4 July 2017, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the only measure under which Cork County Council could have applied for funding for this specific group scheme was measure 3 and it was not recommended for funding as it was considered outside the scope for measure 3; and if he has given consideration to making such measures more flexible to ensure that group schemes such as in the case of persons (details supplied) can avail of much needed funding. [32587/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Question No 637 of 4 July 2017.

I understand that a proposal for the Ballyduff Upper Group Water Scheme was received in the past week in my Department and this will be examined as soon as possible.

My Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016 - 2018 is focused on existing quality deficient group water schemes, particularly through Measure 1 of the programme, to ensure compliance with the Drinking Water Regulations 2014. The invitation to local authorities earlier this year for funding addressed this as follows:

- schemes that were on my Department's Remedial Action List for Group Water Schemes (these quality deficient schemes were the particular focus of the invitation);

- schemes that were not on my Department's Remedial Action List for Group Water Schemes (this allowed for the evolving and dynamic nature of the list); and

- schemes that are not fully regulated (i.e. due to their small size fall below the threshold for full application of the regulations) whereby a block grant is available for funding improvements for such schemes.

I am therefore satisfied that the funding arrangements under the programme have the required flexibility to deliver group water scheme compliance with the Drinking Water Regulations 2014.