Alan Dillon
Ceist:48. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the multi-annual rural water programme 2024 – 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54058/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 7 December 2023
Ceisteanna (48, 68)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:68. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress being made under the Rural Water Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53972/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 68 together.
My Department’s Rural Water Programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to private domestic water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no Uisce Éireann water services.
The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) is the main funding stream providing capital funding to address some of the key challenges faced by the Rural Water Sector and specifically those of the Group Water Schemes in maintaining, renewing and developing their systems and networks.
The core purpose is to provide the necessary funding to address infrastructure deficits that are having an impact on the provision of safe and secure drinking water supplies. Funding of €175m is committed under the National Development Plan 2021-2030 for the period from 2021-2025.
Current funding is provided through an annual subsidy which is paid, through local authorities, to group water schemes towards their operational and management costs of supplying water for domestic use.
I can confirm that I have approved the specific funding measures in the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026 and I plan to publish it soon. Local authorities will then be invited to submit applications for funding for priority projects in their areas.
In line with my continued commitment to households in rural areas, I have made significant improvements to the septic tank grants which are available where there are risks to water quality or human health. I have approved increasing the grants available to households to €12,000 from €5,000, effective from 1 January 2024.