Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I refer to the reply to Question No. 353 on today's Order Paper which sets out my Department's general policy position in relation to rainwater harvesting and addresses certain operational issues arising in the use of these technologies. Funding of €427 million is available for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013 under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-13. Some 36 Local Action Groups are contracted on my Department's behalf to deliver the RDP throughout the country. These groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with departmental operating rules and EU regulations. There is scope for funding water harvesting facilities under the conservation measure of the rural development programme which is subject to a range of eligibility criteria. Funding can not be made available to public bodies under the RDP. However, it may be possible to consider funding applications in respect of initiatives that are organised, managed and led at community level. Contact details for the 36 Local Action Groups are available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.