Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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284. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the future subsidy of group water schemes; the future subsidy per house supplied by local authority source; the future subsidy per house supplied by a private well source; the overall total estimated subsidy expenditure per annum in the future following changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5419/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Government, in the context of decisions taken on the financing of Irish Water, announced on 6 May 2014 its intention to adjust the subvention of the Group Water sector so that it is aligned with the approach for households on public water supplies. This is to ensure households in the Group Water sector receive equivalent support, while allowing for any transitional issues, to sustain improvements in quality in the sector. Following discussions between my Department and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, it is proposed to revise the maximum subsidies. A circular letter detailing the revised subsidy rates will issue to local authorities shortly.

The Government remains committed to the continued support of the Group Water sector as an important element of the water industry in Ireland, founded on co-operative community and voluntary engagement, and to invest in the sector to sustain and improve quality standards and performance.