Holly Cairns
Ceist:36. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to assist communities in improving wastewater infrastructure. [32967/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 23 June 2022
Ceisteanna (36)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government supports the uptake of Irish Water's Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme 2020-2024, which will provide water and waste water growth capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in Irish Water's capital investment plan. I understand from Irish Water that an allocation of almost €100 million for this programme was approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. Irish Water is working with local authorities across the country to ensure the investment supports the growth of identified settlements, where these are prioritised in line with the local authority development plans.
In addition, I announced funding on 28 April 2022 for a new funding measure under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025, for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages and Settlements that do not have access to public waste water services. Details of the announcement can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f2fa6-minister-obrien-announces-50-million-in-funding-to-improve-the-waste-water-needs-of-rural-villages/.
An allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan for the period 2021 to 2025 for the new measure. Details of the scheme, including terms and conditions and the relevant accompanying documents are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a524a-group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues/#waste-water-collection-and-treatment-needs-for-villages-and-settlements-without-access-to-public-waste-water-services. It is now open to all local authorities to submit applications for funding and I encourage them to do so. Completed applications should be submitted in advance of the deadline of 15 September, 2022.
Question No. 37 answered with Question No. 27.