My Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme includes a measure for the development of Community Water Connections (formerly called Public Group Water Schemes). This measure enables the further expansion of the public water distribution network as extensions to the existing Irish Water network in areas where a Group Water Scheme or private wells are not viable options. The estimated costs of such extensions can vary greatly depending on terrain conditions.
Investment under the measure, where it is technically and economically viable to do so, supports social and economic development and living standards in rural towns and villages and their hinterlands and promotes sustained improvements in the quality of water in the rural environment.
In April 2018, a Working Group was established to conduct a review of the wider investment needs relating to rural water services. The Group's aim is to recommend measures to ensure an equality of outcome between those who receive water services from Irish Water and non-Irish Water customers.
The terms of reference of the review provide for a two-strand approach. Strand 1 is considering the composition and distribution of funding for the upcoming Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme. Strand 2 is considering the more complex longer-focus issues surrounding the long-term future resourcing of the Rural Water Sector.
The Working Group is currently finalising a report on Strand 1 of its deliberations. The report, to be finalised in coming weeks, will make recommendations on the measures to be considered for funding under the upcoming multi-annual programme. The report will give consideration to the appropriate level of grant funding under each measure. Once I have received the report and had an opportunity to consider its recommendations, I expect to announce details of the programme priorities and an invitation to local authorities to submit bids will follow.
Following the receipt of bids, an Expert Panel will evaluate all appropriate bids, and based on the recommendations of the Panel a report will be submitted for my consideration and approval later this year.
