John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the changes that were introduced last year. They were a recognition of the real costs involved. I also welcome the review. I hope what I have suggested in terms of inserting the "and-or" clause in recognition of the higher costs for treatment, in particular in areas where water quality is poor, will be fed into the review. I also hope the review will have a successful outcome.

I again emphasise the importance of extending the deadline, in particular in light of the level 5 restrictions. Nobody could have foreseen the circumstances we are in and while prudent financial management is important in closing out older schemes, we must be cognisant that people were approved under the previous scheme and they must be allowed time to carry out the work. I say that, notwithstanding the fact that they can submit a new application. The prudent approach would be to extend the scheme and I urge the Minister to do that.