Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is obvious the Government has provided €130 million towards conservation grant aid and this is done on the basis of 70% or 80% compliance. If there is 100% compliance, will the Government commit to the extra €35 million? In the absence of that, I am at a loss in understanding the scientific basis for the figure being €130 million. We should remember that €80 million was spent on consultants. Irish Water have had this matter for the past 18 months. It was in the hands of the Government, this particular Department, Bord Gáis and now Irish Water, with all their staff, expertise and management levels. The best estimate is €130 million but there is an acknowledgement that there are 1.65 million houses. If there was full compliance, the figure would have to be €160 million and not €130 million. Will the Minister indicate where he got the scientific basis for the "guesstimate" of €130 million and does the Government accept that in the event of full compliance, the figure will have to be larger? Will it adjust its estimates to allow that be paid?

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