Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I visited one of the winners of the national group water schemes in Mayo last week. That organisation is completely voluntary in nature and was formed by the joining of three separate entities into one larger unit. The scheme in question employs a full-time professional administrator. It is so well organised that young children in the local primary schools have all been given badges which proclaim them to be "water deputies". Schemes in rural areas are ideally suited for community support and involvement. This is because they can supply services, in either a voluntary or cost-recovery capacity, which no one else can provide. Group schemes succeed because - with some State support - they are able to lay the many miles of pipe necessary to carry water to particular communities. There is no proposal or intention to interfere in any way with existing group water schemes. The legislation does not contain any measures which will affect such schemes. As I understand it, in certain circumstances group water schemes can opt to become part of the public water supply network. However, that is a decision for such schemes to make. In the context of its service level agreements with local authorities, I presume this issue will be a priority for Irish Water.