Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 September 2024
53. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will intervene to ensure that an application made by a group water scheme (details supplied) under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026 is prioritised on the basis that many homes in the locality rely on the supply, and maintenance of it is an ongoing struggle for the volunteer group that oversee it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37975/24]
View answerIn January this year, I launched the next cycle of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) to cover the period 2024 to 2026.
The overall purpose of the MARWP and other grants is to provide the necessary funding to improve the quality, quantity and reliability of the water services relied upon by rural dwellers, where no public water services are available.
An Expert Panel is currently looking at the specifics of each funding request and is tasked with making recommendations on the suitability of individual projects for funding. Under an independent Chairperson, the Panel’s membership includes experts from the key stakeholders in the Rural Water Sector.
I expect to receive the recommendations of the Panel and approve and allocate funding in the coming weeks.
In addition to the funding being provided under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, my Department also makes funding available to group water schemes with an annual subsidy to fund their operational costs of providing water for domestic use.
