Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Dillon wants to discuss the importance of the multi-annual rural water programme, which is very important in County Mayo.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is important and I express my gratitude to the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue matter as it holds significant importance in Mayo.

The multi-annual rural water programme is a crucial initiative that focuses on improving water quality in rural areas and ensuring access to clean and reliable drinking water for rural communities. Looking ahead to the future, the multi-annual rural water programme for the period 2023 to 2025 is anticipated to bring substantial benefits to Mayo, especially through the provision of new water connections. This will enhance access to clean water, elevate quality of life, foster economic development and promote sustainable growth in our communities. However, in specific areas of north Mayo approximately 500 households are still without running water. I am not sure whether there are issues around access to running water in counties Kildare or Wexford.

Since entering the House, I have consistently raised this matter, sought updates on the timing of new water connections and emphasised the importance of providing access to clean and reliable water for communities. Communities such as Carrowteige, Shrataggle, Portacloy, Porturlin and Clery in Kiltimagh are currently living without piped water supply. The water is frequently condemned, rendering it undrinkable and unusable. Residents urgently require a new community water connection. Households are facing dire circumstances that is severely impacting on their quality of life and living standards. They struggle to reach adequate home heating temperatures, are unable to shower and face difficulties using their washing machines and dishwashers due to clogging of systems caused by bog water. It is disheartening to think that in 2023 households in certain areas of County Mayo still lack the fundamental necessity of running water. Last July, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage stated that the Department expected to announce programme priorities and invite local authority submissions or bids by late 2022. It is May 2023 and no progress has been made on this matter. Will the Minister of State provide some clarification on future iterations of the rural water programme? What is causing the delay in the current programme and when can we expect an announcement on the next programme? I thank him for his attention.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and providing me with the opportunity to address the matter on behalf of the Minister.

I confirm that the Department’s multi-annual rural water programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services. The programme provides capital funding aimed at improving the quality, reliability and efficiency of rural water services infrastructure. The bulk of funding is spent on the improvement of water quality in group water schemes and individual wells, with more limited funding provided for group sewerage schemes and domestic wastewater treatment systems, mostly septic tanks. The day-to-day administration of the multi-annual programme is devolved to the local authorities. To date under the current multi-annual programme, more than €74 million has been provided to fund projects. Local authorities have recouped almost €36 million from the Department for these projects to date. More than half of the 700 individual projects allocated funding under the programme are completed to date.

In respect of the new multi-annual rural water programme, the Department is currently working to finalise the framework documentation. A steering group, the rural water working group, is tasked with overseeing the launch and management of the programme. The work required to finalise the composition of the specific measures in the programme will be completed shortly and a report will be sent to the Minister. When he has had an opportunity to consider the report, I expect he will announce details of the programme and its priorities. Local authorities will then be invited to submit applications for funding for priority projects in their areas. An expert panel will then critically evaluate all applications and a report will be submitted to the Minister for consideration and approval later this year. All local authorities have been advised to engage with groups in their functional areas to prepare requests for funding for the upcoming programme, while continuing to manage the current programme. In April 2022, funding for a new €50 million measure, an advanced element under the multi-annual rural water programme for the wastewater collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements without access to public wastewater services was announced. Local authorities have submitted priority applications for funding under this scheme. Each application has been evaluated by an independent expert panel and funding for specific projects will be announced shortly.

Funding is provided on a multi-annual three-year cycle to provide funding certainty to the rural water sector, which allows the programme to meet the emerging demands and increases effective planning. The multi-annual approach also helps to address environmental and public health compliance in the existing group water schemes; incorporates mechanisms to protect, maintain and enhance rural water assets; and establishes a structure to fund new group water schemes into the future. Capital expenditure under the multi-annual rural water programme was €20.76 million in 2022. The €35 million allocated for 2023 contains €10 million for the new measure for the wastewater needs of rural villages without access to public wastewater services. The programme is consumer focused and achieves its aims by helping group water schemes to achieve wholesome, clean drinking water that is safe to drink on a consistent long-term basis by complying with the drinking water regulations. Leakage control is also funded through water conservation and supporting good practices which contributes to reduced costs for energy and consumables. The expansion of piped water supplies and central wastewater collection systems is also facilitated. Funding innovation and research to improve the efficiency of the rural water sector is also supported. The Department is committed to delivering improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I appreciate that the Minister of State is filling in for the Minister responsible for this area and I appreciate the response he read out.

From discussions with Mayo County Council, I understand that both the local authority and many group water schemes are ready and waiting to act on requests for submissions for new water connections. The Minister of State outlined the additional €50 million measure for wastewater collection and treatment needs but the priority in this discussion is new connections. The lack of communication regarding a submission process framework to fund bids for the new four-year cycle has been disappointing. The disappointment of people in north Mayo every time they ring our constituency office is heartbreaking. Many of the residents in Carrowteige have received pre-connection permission from Irish Water. Their proposal was submitted and reviewed and it was deemed feasible so the next stage of the process is where the real bottleneck is. Everyone is in agreement that the programme is of vital importance to householders and rural Ireland. Everyone should have an entitlement to clean running water.

I will make an additional point to the Department on the grant aid per household. I ask that the Minister review the connection fee of €9,000 per household and also waive the Irish Water connection charges, which are over €2,200, in light of the current rate of inflation in the costs of materials etc., so that we can deliver these schemes on the ground. I ask that the Minister bring forward the report, take on board its recommendations and instruct all local authorities to make their submissions in a swift manner.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Dillon again for raising this important matter. On the multi-annual rural water programme, as I indicated, to date, allocations of just over €74 million have been provided nationally and just under €36 million has been recouped by local authorities. Mayo County Council was allocated over €25 million, of which, to date, just over €8 million has been recouped. There are more than 50 individual projects of various sizes, some large, currently being managed by Mayo County Council that have yet to be completed. The funding provided under the multi-annual programme sets out how we can best achieve optimum outcomes to advance the needs and expectations on rural wastewater. As I said, an expert panel will critically evaluate all applications and a report will be submitted to the Minister for consideration and approval later this year. I thank the Deputy again for raising this matter. I will bring his concerns to the Minister's attention.