Seanad debates

Tuesday, 14 November 2017

Commencement Matters

Water Services Funding

2:30 pm

Photo of John Paul PhelanJohn Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Conway-Walsh for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Eoghan Murphy, who could not make it to the Chamber today.

Group water schemes is an issue close to my own heart. My late father was a founder member of the group scheme in our area, along with another local man. Both have gone to their eternal reward at this stage. In regard to the specific question asked, in recommendation 6.1 of its report the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services recommended that the principles of equity of treatment and equivalent financial support should be applied equally between households on public water supplies and those in group water schemes and group sewerage schemes, those using domestic wastewater treatment systems and those using individual water supplies. It also recommended that the Department conduct a review, in co-ordination with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and other relevant stakeholders, to quantify what additional investment will be required to equalise treatment between those availing of domestic water services and those availing of private services. It recommended that, following this review, identified investment should be provided.

I am happy to inform the Senator that the Department has already engaged informally with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes regarding the committee’s recommendation for equal treatment for households on group schemes. The Water Services Bill 2017 is currently being considered by this House. Once the Bill is enacted, a working group involving the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and other relevant stakeholders will be formally established to advance the recommendation of the joint Oireachtas committee.

The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is committed to holding this review and to ensuring we have a vibrant, sustainable future for the group water sector. The Minister assured the National Federation of Group Water Schemes of this when he recently met it and also when he addressed the recent rural water services conference. It is also worth highlighting that since domestic water charges for Irish Water customers were suspended, the operational subsidy provided by the Department to group water schemes has been restored to pre-2015 levels.

It is important to note that funding is currently provided to the group water schemes either through subsidy or capital grant, and this is provided for by section 16 of the Water Services Act 2007. Within this framework, the precise subsidy and grant arrangements, and associated eligibility, are set out in departmental circulars. Therefore, no legislation is required to change either the subsidy arrangements or the grant provisions.

To ensure a vibrant future, the rural water sector requires clear funding and governance structures and it was for this reason that the Government reformed the way it funds the sector. The aim of the new multiannual rural water programme 2016-18, with its more scheme-based or project-based approach, is to provide enhanced funding certainty for priority investment needs in the sector. This year, the Department allocated €17.8 million in funding for the rural water programme. In addition to this capital investment, the Department is providing operational subsidies to the group water sector and an amount of some €20.5 million is being provided in 2017. The Department is also engaging with the sector on an ongoing basis on a range of other issues, including improving water quality, supporting a viable future for the sector and facilitating a strong voice for the sector in the national dialogue on water issues. I can assure the Senator that this active engagement with the sector will continue into the future.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.