Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
414. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for the provision of funding for the construction of municipal wastewater treatment plants in Craughwell, Corofin and Abbeyknockmoy, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15394/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCraughwell, Corofin and Abbeyknockmoy are three un-sewered villages in County Galway.
In February 2019 my Department announced the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2020 (MARWP 2019-2021), the composition of this programme is based on recommendations from the Working Group established in April 2018 to conduct a review of rural water services. There is a two-strand approach to the considerations of the Working Group. Strand 1 considered the composition and distribution of funding for the MARWP 2019-2021, while Strand 2 is considering the long-term future resourcing of the rural water sector. The wastewater infrastructure needs of rural villages is an issue that the Working Group is to examine further.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water brought forward proposals for a Small Towns & Villages Growth Programme, as part of its Capital Investment Plan 2020-2024 submitted to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, which will support a number of the National Policy Objectives and National Strategic Outcomes under the National Planning Framework. The Small Towns & Villages Growth Programme is intended to provide water and wastewater growth capacity in smaller settlements which would not otherwise be provided for in its Investment Plan to 2024. Irish Water will work with local authorities across the country in ensuring the investment is made where it is needed most, aligned to core strategies. I understand that Irish Water is currently advancing its proposals on this programme.
In addition to the support the plan gives to sewered locations in urban and rural Ireland, Irish Water is also prepared to support local authorities who wish to seek funding for un-sewered villages through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund of the National Development Plan.
In July 2019, my Department launched the multi-annual Developer-Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme 2019-2021. Bids were sought from local authorities with Developer-Provided Water Services Infrastructure in residential estates in their areas to apply for funding. It is noted Galway County Council included estates in the three villages in the question in its application. An Expert Panel, which includes Departmental, stakeholder and independent representation, has been appointed to examine the bids against the criteria set out in the scheme. I expect that the Expert Panel will make recommendations to me shortly on the suitability of projects for funding under the programme and an announcement on approvals and allocations will be made once that process is concluded in the coming weeks.
