Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The penalty I am proposing is €5,000. It is much different. In addition, it has been mentioned that there is no support being given for rural areas. Under the rural water programme, a substantial amount of taxpayers' money has been put into upgrading group water schemes and schemes in rural areas. In fact, my predecessors in Government have invested €500 million and I want to acknowledge that. It was a significant success.

The rural water programme has demonstrated, in the EPA samples carried out, massive improvements in the quality of water in rural areas. I have money allocated to that programme in 2012 and I will look at how we can deploy that money in order to help people overcome any difficulties in group water schemes or group sewerage schemes in rural areas. I will seek how we can target resources to help those who need it most.

The grant scheme can only be looked at in the context of the budget of 2014 because in 2013, we will know the extent of the problem arising from the one-in-five inspections carried out. Senator Walsh would not expect me to bring in a grant scheme for something that has not yet happened.