Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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93. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the multi-annual water programme 2024–2026 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38046/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the current cycle of my Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP), which covers the period to the end of 2026, almost 900 applications for funding were received from local authorities across the country.

As part of the application process, an independent Expert Panel is tasked with evaluating all applications received and reviewing each individual project, assessing the information provided in the application against the objective of the programme and making recommendations for my consideration and decision on their suitability of funding.

Given the large number of applications received and in order to allow work to begin on projects as soon as possible, it was decided to take a phased approach to funding approval. In November 2024, funding of €47.1 million was approved for 256 individual projects which are improving water services for households across rural communities nationwide.

The Expert Panel has completed their evaluation of the vast majority of remaining applications and I expect to conclude my consideration of their recommendations and announce funding approval shortly.