Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of a water scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32273/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In February 2019, the previous Minister announced details of the measures being funded through my Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021. Local authorities were invited to submit their bids for the funding of projects in their functional areas. Mayo County Council made a number of bids under Measure 6 including for a proposal for Murrisk Community Water Connection (formerly called public group water schemes).  

The estimated cost of the proposed 350 house project was €4.725 million, or €13,500 per house.  Grants of up to 85% are available for Community Water Connections subject to a maximum grant of €7,650 per house (this means that the effective cost limit per house for this project is €9,000).

Although the project is approved in principle, the estimated cost needs to be significantly reduced. I understand that the local authority is working with Irish Water to examine ways to reduce the estimated costs, and have met to discuss this issue. In addition the local authority has appointed a consulting engineer to prepare a report on the project which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, at which time the local authority will make a submission to my Department for consideration.

There is a commitment from my Department to support this project, however, this is subject to a significant reduction being achieved in the estimated costs.