Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that I understand the position regarding this project. I understand these communities have been 20 years trying to gather funding. Every week, they pay into funds to provide water for themselves. However, their project seemed to fall off the cliff due to circumstances. I understand that and know these people need to know soon when they can expect to have their water and sewerage scheme.

County Mayo is one of the biggest beneficiaries of funding for the group water schemes. I heard what the Deputy said about the rules and about not being able to get projects across the line because of that. For 2015, Mayo has been notified of a block grant allocation, totalling €2.7 million, towards group water schemes. Nevertheless, the Minister is aware that further work needs to be done and that there is a need for continuing investment in the group water sector to allow schemes to provide water to required standards. The Deputy's comments will be kept in mind in this regard.

The Department will engage separately with Irish Water on broader issues around rural water and sewerage programmes, with a view to ensuring there is appropriate integration of the Department's rural water programme and Irish Water's capital investment programme in order to fully support rural development and address any environmental issues that may arise. Such discussions will involve the national federation of group water schemes and local authority management. The introduction of a rolling, multi-annual funding programme to provide certainty to the group water scheme sector is also being considered in this regard. Some appointments are awaited currently.

I understand the Deputy's frustration with being so close but yet so far. I accept her point regarding some Members of the Opposition. It is easy to be glib on these issues when one can turn on a tap and high quality water comes forth, but this is not the case for the people in Mayo mentioned by the Deputy. It is a question of equality. People in rural Ireland have always paid for their water. Everybody should pay a little. I accept that in times of plenty we did not pay attention to these issues and that is one of the reasons we are now in this situation. I understand the Deputy's concerns and will take them on board.

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