Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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17. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to provide long awaited new group water schemes in rural areas which under current rules are disenfranchised and without a proper water supply for homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34336/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes funding for new group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. Generally, the selection and approval of individual scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme is a matter for the local authorities.

The National Rural Water Services Committee, which has a role in advising me in relation to policy and investment in rural water services, has been considering issues arising for the establishment of new group schemes, particularly where the costs involved call into question the viability of the scheme. Following a recommendation by the Committee, an increase of €1,000 in the maximum grant per house applying to new group water schemes was announced in April 2014. My Department, therefore, now funds 85% of the cost of such schemes, subject to a maximum grant per house of €7,475 rather than the previous limit of €6,475 per house.

The National Rural Water Services Committee recently made further recommendations following on from continued review of the matter. My Department is currently considering these further recommendations.