A total of €14.9m has been secured, an increase of nearly 30% compared to last year.
Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Mr Simon Coveney, T.D. said the allocations will be provided to local authorities under the Department's multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018. Responsibility for the administration of the programme, is devolved to the local authorities.
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Minister Coveney said: "I thank the Expert Panel for their work and I am pleased in particular that a funding mechanism has now been found that facilitates the progression of new group water schemes that were not viable at previous grant rates – in particular some such schemes in Mayo and Galway. The 2016 new group water schemes allocation is a significant first step towards some of these schemes now being able to progress and receive a good quality piped water supply to their houses.
"I wish to thank the National Federation of Group Water Schemes for working with my Department in developing an amalgamation/rationalisation strategy for the group water scheme sector and in particular in identifying potential clusters of group water schemes where the best way forward for them is amalgamation/rationalisation to ensure that a supply of good quality water is provided to their members on a consistent basis and to efficiently manage their day-to-day operations."
(CD/LM)
