James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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105. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on an application for Carrowteige community water connection in Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9861/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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In 2024 my Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) was launched to cover the period 2024 to 2026 and a total of 875 individual applications for funding were received from the local authorities.

Given the large number of applications and the associated work load and in order to allow work begin on projects it was decided to take a phased approach to the approval of funding.

I announced the first phase of funding in November 2024 and I am pleased to say that more than €47 million for 256 individual capital projects was approved. The projects being funded will improve water services for households throughout rural areas across the country.

As part of the application process for this programme an independent Expert Panel is tasked with evaluating and reviewing each individual project, assessing the evidence provided in the application against the objective of the MARWP and make recommendations for my consideration on the suitability of funding.

The Panel has critically reviewed the majority of the applications received, including the application submitted by Mayo County Council for the Carrowteigue Community Water Connection.

For a number of applications under consideration including the one from Carrowteigue, the Panel required further information from the local authority before making a final recommendation. Mayo local authority has submitted the requested information which the Panel is currently reviewing.

I expect to receive their recommendation for my consideration and decision shortly.