Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to statements on water policy. Everyone is in agreement that the importance of improving Ireland's water resources cannot be underestimated. Having clean and healthy water catchments, safe and secure water supplies and a comprehensive wastewater service are, collectively, vital to protect public health, support economic growth and, what is very important, preserve our environment.

An issue I continue to raise that causes grave concern among residents in north Mayo relates to the multi-annual rural water programme for 2022 to 2025. It is a huge issue. Some communities in north Mayo, including Carrowteige, Porturlin, Portacloy and Srahataggle and, in east Mayo, Lisduff and Cleragh, near Kiltimagh, still do not have running water. That sends a chilling message down my spine. These people are desperate to avail of a new community water connection. They are sometimes dealing with condemned wells and are prevented from using water for both drinking and domestic purposes. Their heating systems cannot reach the required temperature because they are clogged with material from bogs. This is in the 21st century. If departmental officials have not visited some of these households, it would be an education for them to see the challenges these people face on a daily basis. Last July, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, said he expected the Department to announce details of the programme priorities and invite local authorities to submit bids later this year. Four months on, we are still none the wiser as to when applications will be accepted under this programme. Last month, I was informed by Mayo County Council that it had not yet received the request for submissions for the multi-annual rural water programme 2022 to 2025 from the Department. The council expected this to happen in September but has received nothing to date.

Maybe the Minister of State could address two questions in his final remarks. When will Tobin Consulting Engineers complete volume two of its rural water sector review report and present it to the project oversight group? When will the rural water working group make recommendations to the Minister on the future governance and investment requirements for this sector? These are crucially important questions we need answered. I have got signatures from people living in Carrowteige, Porturlin, Portacloy and Srahataggle. They have successfully gathered momentum in order to remove any blockages to progress by the engineers in Mayo County Council who are currently awaiting the go-ahead to assess this proposed scheme, which will be of enormous benefit to these four north Mayo rural communities. I understand the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has not yet issued the framework for the submission process, as I referenced. I request that this be done as soon as possible. I also urge the Minister of State to prioritise this programme. It is very important in rural Ireland. Many urban Deputies are not impacted to the degree rural Deputies are as regards households having access to domestic running water. That is very important. I ask for clarity on this matter. It is crucial that the people of north Mayo get the basic necessity of running water as we enter these difficult winter months.

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