Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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304. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when his Department will be submitting requests for the 2022 – 2024 Multi Annual Rural Water Programme; when the announcements will be made and finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6010/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In April 2018, a Working Group was established to conduct a review of the wider investment needs relating to rural water services. The Group's aim is to recommend measures to ensure an equality of outcome between those who receive water services from Irish Water and non-Irish Water customers.

The terms of reference of the review provide for a two-strand approach. Strand 1 is considering the composition and distribution of funding for the upcoming Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme. Strand 2 is considering the more complex longer-focus issues surrounding the long-term future resourcing of the Rural Water Sector.

The Working Group is currently finalising a report on Strand 1 of its deliberations. The report, to be finalised in coming weeks, will make recommendations on the measures to be considered for funding under the upcoming multi-annual programme. Once I have received the report and had an opportunity to consider its recommendations, I expect to announce details of the programme priorities and an invitation to local authorities to submit bids will follow.

Following the receipt of bids, an Expert Panel will evaluate all appropriate bids, and based on the recommendations of the Panel a report will be submitted for my consideration and approval later this year.