Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2019
680. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the grant funding available to householders that cannot connect to the public water mains or a group water scheme to upgrade a well; if consideration is being given to increasing this grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22076/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8 February this year, I announced details of the measures being funded through my Department under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021. This included an improved funding scheme for individual wells (more commonly known as private or household wells).
The composition of the new multi-annual programme is based on recommendations from the Working Group that I established in April 2018 to conduct a review of investment needs and rural water services.
The changes that I have approved to the individual wells grant scheme are as follows:
- A maximum grant for rehabilitation works of €3,000, which represents an increase of 47% on the current maximum grant amount;
- Where the local authority agrees that the most appropriate solution is to provide a new well, the maximum grant payable would be €5,000;
- Recognising the role of the grant in improving quality, the water quality treatment element (typically filtration and UV filtration) will qualify for 100% funding up to a maximum of €1,000;
- Up to 85% of other costs would be met, subject to the total combined maximum costs of €3,000 for well rehabilitation or €5,000 for a new well, and;
- For clarity, applicants would not be able to avail of both grant amounts, so they would not be able to avail of €3,000 for well rehabilitation as well as the €5,000 available for a new well.
Work is at an advanced stage of development for the funding scheme. I expect that the process will be completed in the coming weeks when the necessary regulations dealing with the financial assistance arrangements and related administrative matters are put in place. This will enable a circular letter, terms and conditions, guidance and the application form to issue to local authorities shortly thereafter.
