Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Last year, I announced details of the measures being funded through my Department under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021. Local Authorities were invited to submit their bids for the funding of schemes or projects in their functional areas. Galway County Council made a number of bids under Measure 4 – New Group Water Schemes – including a proposal for the project referred to. In addition to the proposed new group water scheme, the proposed project also involves amalgamation with a small existing group water scheme. The estimated cost of the proposed 229 house project was €3.98 million or €17,393 per house.

The Framework document, issued with the bids circular last year, sets out the following levels of grant aid for the various components of work envisaged under projects:

- New Group Water Schemes: Grants of up to 85% of cost are available subject to a maximum grant of €7,650 per house. This means that the effective cost limit per house is €9,000. A supplemental grant is payable for new group water schemes in exceptional cases which are subject to the recommendation of the Expert Panel appointed to examine the bids and Departmental approval.

- Amalgamation of Group Water Schemes: Works to achieve amalgamation of schemes (interconnections, new sources and water treatment, and essential water conservation and network upgrading to achieve amalgamation etc.) is funded at 100%.

The project was approved in principle, based on the recommendations of an Expert Panel established to consider proposals, when the approvals for the multi-annual programme were announced last October. This was not accompanied by a funding allocation as the Panel recommended that the estimated cost needed to be significantly reduced. Galway County Council made a detailed resubmission to my Department in relation to the project on 30 April 2020. The details of the resubmission are currently being reviewed and it is hoped that a decision will be made shortly.