Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1948. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide farmers with a grant to sink their own wells in view of the recent drought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34037/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector facilitates capital investments in specialised horticultural equipment and buildings by providing grant aid to commercial horticultural producers. Investments funded under this Scheme may include costs associated with boring a well, provision of water storage facilities or the purchase of irrigation equipment for use on horticultural crops.
Grant aid for the sinking of wells is not currently covered under the TAMS II Schemes. Until the approvals issued to applicants for the existing measures under TAMS are acted upon and payment claims are submitted or expire without a payment claim being submitted the budgetary position is that additional investment items cannot be accommodated within the Rural Development Programme TAMS budget.
The Water Framework Directive is the primary piece of EU legislation dealing with water. It lays down detailed requirements for managing water quality and protecting the natural water environment. It requires member states to implement measures to protect and, where necessary, restore all bodies of water to good status within prescribed timeframes; generally by 2015 or at the latest by 2027. Member states are required to prepare River Basin Management Plans (RBMP) every 6 years.
Ireland’s second RBMP, published in April 2018, contains a number of commitments in relation to the management and regulation of water abstractions. These include the establishment and maintenance of a national register of water abstractions of 25 cubic metres or more per day. A person abstracting 25 cubic metres or more per day will be required to register that abstraction via the Environmental Protection Agency. This will help to ensure the continued and sustainable use of Ireland's water resources in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.
