Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has reviewed the grants for group water/ waste water group schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48403/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The rate of grant available for Group Sewerage Schemes is €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The National Rural Water Services Committee, which has a role in advising me on rural water policy, proposed that the rate of grant be reviewed during 2012. As a result of a review carried out by my Department, I propose, in the first instance, to carry out a number of pilot schemes based on an increased grant level. My Department will ask local authorities to include in their requests for funding under the 2013 Rural Water Programme proposals for group sewerage schemes which might be viable if an increased grant was available. The selection of the pilot schemes and related funding arrangements will be completed as soon as possible after proposals have been received from local authorities in 2013. I have no plans to increase the existing grant for group water schemes.