Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to provide additional funding to Westmeath County Council to enable it to commence two small new group water schemes (details supplied) which are ready to start, with tenders in place in view of the fact that no moneys were provided in the recent allocation to allow new group water schemes to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20130/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I notified County Councils of their block grant allocations under the Rural Water Programme last month, and €0.820 million was allocated to Westmeath County Council. These block grant allocations cover both funding for group water schemes and small public water and sewerage schemes. The major part of the funding for the group water sector is directed at investment required under the Rural Water Action Plan developed in response to an adverse ruling against Ireland by the European Court of Justice.

Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection and approval of individual group water schemes for advancement under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant funding provided, is therefore a matter for the local authorities. I have no proposals at present to increase these block grant allocations. However, the position will be kept under review during the course of the year.