Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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360. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason Tipperary County Council has been refused funding under the multi-annual funding programme to proceed with the taking-in-charge of estates; the funding that has been provided to Tipperary County Council for the taking-in-charge of estates; the reason this funding has been refused for 2020; the number of estates with applications to be taken-in-charge by Tipperary County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28702/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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On 21 September, I announced allocations under the new multi-annual capital investment programme for the progressive resolution of housing estates with “developer provided water services infrastructure”, to enable the taking in charge of these estates. The announcement followed an independent Expert Panel review of all valid bids. The Panel’s recommendations are based on criteria set out in the Framework document issued to local authorities when requesting bid proposals.

The focus of the first multi-annual programme is on estates in towns and villages where the resolution is to connect their water services to the public networks. The programme will also support a number of pilot projects where connection is not feasible in the immediate future. These pilot projects, together with a major study to be under taken by Irish Water, will inform future policy on resolving sub-standard developer provided infrastructure with sustainable solutions in such areas.

All local authorities that submitted bids were informed about the outcome of their bids in a circular which included a copy of the Expert Panel report on the bids process. The report provides the commentary of the Panel on their evaluation in the case of unsuccessful bids and guidance for the local authority in making future bids in upcoming programmes. The circular and report addresses all of the items raised in the question.

The circular is available on my Department's website at the link under: