Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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762. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to increase the maximum value of the grant available under the individual domestic well grant scheme in the near future; his views on whether the increase in the cost of the works covered by the scheme should be reflected in the grants available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53144/19]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Earlier this year I announced details of the new Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021.  This included an improved funding scheme for individual wells.  The changes to this scheme demonstrate the Government's strong commitment to supporting this critically important resource and are as follows:

- A maximum grant for rehabilitation works of €3,000 (which represents an increase of 47% on the current maximum grant amount), or where the local authority agrees that the most appropriate solution is to provide a new well, a maximum grant €5,000.

- Recognising the role of the grant in improving quality, the water treatment element (typically filtration and UV filtration) will qualify for 100% funding up to a maximum of €1,000.

- Up to 85% of other costs would be met, subject to the total combined maximum costs of €3,000 for well rehabilitation or €5,000 for a new well. 

I expect that the necessary Regulations dealing with the financial assistance arrangements and related administrative matters will be put in place shortly and this will enable a circular letter, terms and conditions, guidance and the application form to issue to local authorities shortly thereafter.