Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will take this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and providing me with the opportunity to address this matter.

I understand that Irish Water has taken in charge more than 170 group water schemes since it took over responsibility for public water services from the local authorities in January 2014. Irish Water is continuing with this process as schemes are upgraded and funded under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's rural water programme. The latest tranche of projects approved under the Department's multi-annual rural water programme was announced in October 2019.

Measure 5 of the programme provides funding for the taking in charge of group water schemes by Irish Water. This measure is aimed at schemes for which the best option is taking in charge to ensure improvement in water quality or certainty of their operation and maintenance. This is achieved by integration of the scheme into the public water network, managed by Irish Water. The measure allows local authorities working with the schemes concerned to upgrade their pipe networks and, in particular, to reduce leakage to the basic standard required by Irish Water. The work reduces the cost of maintaining the scheme and leaves it more efficient for Irish Water to take it in charge. Under measure 5, more than 150 projects, some involving multiple group water schemes, were allocated funding of over €14.4 million, benefiting around 15,300 households.

Mayo County Council received approval for taking in charge of more than 50 schemes, with allocated funding of over €4.8 million. I understand the local authority has been actively completing the necessary work on these schemes and that 17 are currently with Irish Water at various stages of the taking in charge process. I also understand, however, that there are legacy financial concerns on some of these schemes, which need to be resolved. Irish Water and the local authority are actively working to resolve these issues. However, this will also require goodwill and a proactive approach by the schemes involved. Group water schemes are community owned and run.

They remain the full responsibility of the scheme until such time as they are formally taken in charge by Irish Water. An annual subsidy is available from the Department via the local authorities. This subsidy funds and supports the maintenance and operation costs of schemes providing water for domestic use, thus in turn facilitating their upkeep until such time as they are taken in charge.

To summarise, the taking in charge of group water schemes is co-ordinated by the relevant local authority. Local authorities submit taking in charge applications to Irish Water once works have been completed to bring the scheme up to the basic standard required. Irish Water will work to complete the processes as quickly as possible, engaging with the local authority, as required, but local communities also need to ensure that the legacy issues are resolved. I will bring the specific issues the Deputy has raised to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, after the debate.

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