Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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791.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the next funding for the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34172/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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867.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when funding for proposed multi-annual rural water programme works is expected to be released with particular urgent projects in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35508/24]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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871.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when funding for local communities and group water schemes will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35552/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 791, 867 and 871 together.

In January this year, I launched the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026 (MARWP) and invited local authorities to submit applications for funding with a closing date of 12 April 2024.

Under the MARWP, all applications received by the Department undergo a two stage evaluation process.

Stage one involves my Department assessing each application to determine eligibility under the MARWP, this stage is complete.

Stage two of the process, which is well advanced, is the evaluation and review of each individual project, assessing the evidence provided in the application against the objectives of the MARWP. An Expert Panel was established to complete this stage of the process.

The Panel is tasked with making recommendations on the suitability of individual projects for funding. Under an independent Chairperson, the Panel’s membership includes the key stakeholders in the Rural Water Sector.

My Department will consider the recommendations of the Panel and make a submission for my consideration and approval.

I expect this process to be completed in the coming weeks.