Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason for the delays in the publication of measures considered by the rural water working group for inclusion in the 2022-2025 multi-annual rural water programme; when the framework for local authority submissions will be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3631/23]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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My Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services.

The Rural Water Working Group will shortly finalise the composition of the measures for inclusion for funding under the upcoming multi-annual programme. When I have had an opportunity to consider their report, I expect to announce details of the programme priorities, along with an invitation to local authorities to submit bids, in the coming months.

An Expert Panel will then 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.

In April 2022, I announced funding for a new €50m measure, an advanced element under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages and Settlements without access to public waste water services. Local authorities were given an opportunity to submit early and comprehensive bids for funding under this scheme. Valid bids are currently being evaluated by the Expert Panel and I expect to be in a position to announce successful projects soon.