Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Does the Minister believe that it is the fundamental right of every household to have access to water from either a high quality group water scheme or a public main? Does he agree that those who say a cost to the State of €12,000 per household is excessive should examine the cost of providing basic services to an urban house? In an urban context, one is talking about water, sewerage, street lighting and pavements which would cost well in excess of €12,000 in capital, not to mention the running costs. In most cases, the top-up on the CLÁR scheme was much smaller than that amount but the top-up meant that many rural group water schemes, including many in County Mayo, got going because there was a certainty from the beginning with regard to the amount each household would have to pay.

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