Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Cummins for raising this matter and giving me with the opportunity to address it. I assure Members that the Government is committed to ensuring that people in rural areas are supported in accessing good quality water and waste water services, as committed to in the programme for Government.

Following on from the recommendations contained in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services report in April 2017, a working group was established to conduct a review of the wider resources and investment needs relating to the rural water sector. As part of its work, the working group recommended a number of revisions to the then grant scheme that provided support for carrying out improvement works to a private water supply, more commonly known as a private well or household well for domestic use only. These revisions were provided by the Housing (Private Water Supply Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020. This revised scheme formed part of the broader funding investment under measure 8 of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021.

The revised scheme, which opened for applications on 4 June 2020, brought into effect the following changes. The maximum grant for rehabilitation works was increased by 47% from €2,031 to €3,000, as the Senator mentioned. A maximum grant of €5,000 was introduced, in cases where the local authority agrees that the most appropriate solution is to provide a new well. The maximum percentage of approved costs was increased from 75% to 85%, subject to the total maximum costs of either €3,000 for well rehabilitation or €5,000 for a new well.

In addition, in recognition of the role of the grant in improving quality, the water quality treatment element, typically filtration and ultraviolet, UV, treatment, will qualify for 100% funding, up to a maximum of €1,000. This grant may be claimed on its own or in addition to either the grant for rehabilitation works or the grant for a new well. These changes, including the revised grant levels, were implemented following an examination of the previous arrangements, consultation with stakeholders including local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Service Executive, as well as consideration of the matter by the multi-stakeholder rural water working group.

In implementing the revised arrangements, my Department has undertaken to conduct a review of the grant schemes after one year of operation to ensure their alignment with policy objectives. I understand this will happen in June and I would welcome the Senator's input into that review.

As part of its work, the working group also recommended revisions to the grant scheme that provided support towards the remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or the replacement of, domestic waste water treatment systems.This scheme provided financial support for homeowners where septic tanks had been subject to inspection by the relevant local authority in accordance with the EPA's national inspection plan for domestic waste water treatment systems. In June 2020, local authorities were informed by departmental circular that applications that had been approved under the previous scheme, and where work had already started, should be concluded under the arrangements of that scheme. This is normal practice.

My Department had no objection to applicants who had submitted an application under the previous scheme that had not been processed by the date of the new circular, and where no works had started, withdrawing that application and submitting an application under the new arrangements, provided all eligibility criteria are met.

The Department is bringing the previous grant schemes to an orderly close, in line with good financial management practices. Local authorities were advised on 14 January 2021 that the date for receipt of claims under the previous grant schemes for private water supplies and domestic waste water treatment systems under the national inspection plan was 30 March 2021.

As Senator Cummins indicated, my Department has received inquiries from a number of local authorities, requesting an extension to the date for receipt of claims. My Department is engaging with the local authorities on this matter. We will consider it and we hope the process will be concluded shortly. I again thank Senator Cummins for his interest in this important matter.