Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
534. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of public water bottle refill stations which have been installed to date, by location, in tabular form; and to outline plans for further installations or expansions of the scheme. [40426/23]
View answerLocal authorities have installed drinking water fountains within their functional areas over recent years. My Department does not hold data on the specific number of public water fountains currently in place across the country.
Uisce Éireann is engaging directly with local authorities on the installation of new water fountains as part of a pilot project. A review of the installation process and data on the actual usage rates will be undertaken to inform any future full national program for water fountains. Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann.
Separately, the National Federation Group Water Scheme (NFGWS) installed four water refill stations (as part of a project funded by my Department) in Group Water Schemes (GWSs) in counties Clare, Galway, Laois, and Offaly in 2022. Following its initial success the NFGWS are planning to install a further sixteen units under this project in 2023.
Details of the water refill stations installed by GWS as part of pilot project in 2022, funded by my Department:
|
County |
Group Water Scheme |
Location |
|
Clare |
Kilmaley Inagh GWS |
52.822312, -9.118319 |
|
Galway |
Milltown GWS |
53.612860, -8.898038 |
|
Laois |
Ballacolla GWS |
52.881584, -7.450443 |
|
Offaly |
Tubber GWS |
53.374138, -7.657768 |
Details of GWSs participating in the 2023 project, funded by the DHLGH:
|
County |
Group Water Scheme |
|
Carlow |
Ballinabranna GWS |
|
Cavan |
Dhuish GWS |
|
Cavan |
Gowlan GWS |
|
Clare |
Dysart Toonagh GWS |
|
Cork |
Walterstown GWS |
|
Galway |
Peterswell Castledaly GWS |
|
Galway |
Gallagh GWS |
|
Kilkenny |
Ballycallan GWS |
|
Laois |
The Heath GWS |
|
Limerick |
Knockainey GWS |
|
Mayo |
Killeen GWS |
|
Mayo |
Callow Lake GWS |
|
Offaly |
Clareen GWS |
|
Roscommon |
Corracreigh GWS |
|
Sligo |
Drum East GWS |
|
Tipperary |
Ardcroney GWS |
The following table includes a list of GWSs that have water refill stations installed through other initiatives outside of Department funded project project:
|
County |
Group Water Scheme |
Number of Units |
|
Cavan |
Crosserlough GWS |
1 |
|
Galway |
Glinsk Creggs GWS |
2 |
|
Mayo |
Lough Carra GWS |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
Killanny Reaghstown GWS |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
Mid Roscommon GWS |
2 |
Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818-578578.
