John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce a revitalised small water schemes programme in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11497/10]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce a remedial action list to deliver urgent small water schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11499/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together.

My Department's block grant allocations to local authorities under the Rural Water Programme include funding for small public water supply schemes with an estimated cost of less than €1 million as well as for group water supply schemes. The programme also includes contingency funding for small scale improvements to water supply schemes identified by the EPA as needing improvement and included in the EPA Remedial Action List. Funding of €18 million has already been allocated for such schemes and the provision of further allocations will be considered as the need arises in the context of any updating of the Remedial Action List by the EPA. In addition, my Department also funds some of the works arising, where appropriate, as advance works to larger schemes being funded under the Water Services Investment Programme. I will be notifying local authorities of their block grant allocations under the 2010 Rural Water Programme as soon as possible.