A total of €74 million in capital funding has been allocated for the delivery of 291 rural water projects across Ireland, aimed at upgrading essential infrastructure and extending access to reliable water services.

The investment, part of the 2024–2026 Rural Water Programme, will support critical construction works carried out primarily under Group Water Schemes.

The programme targets key areas such as protecting water sources, meeting water quality regulations, reducing leakage, and connecting rural areas to the public Uisce Éireann network. Local authorities prepared project submissions in collaboration with Group Water Schemes and their national representative body.

Following the completion of an assessment process which included a critical evaluation by an independent expert panel of the applications received, the Minister has approved funding of almost €74 million for 291 individual capital projects across the country.

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Announcing the investment, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said: "Safe and reliable drinking water is critically important and access to it enhances the quality of life for people living in rural Ireland. This is critically important to local economies and to sustainability in these rural communities. The 291 projects receiving this funding will play a big part in providing robust water supplies throughout rural Ireland.

"The Government is working hard to fund improvements to water services across the country, including services to rural areas that do not have access to Uisce Éireann services. This announcement today is very much part of that commitment and will support rural communities to thrive as places to live and work."

Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan TD added: "Having safe and secure water is fundamental to rural communities' quality of life and as places to live, visit and establish business in. This funding will help to improve water quality compliance, decrease leakage and expand the coverage of access to piped water from the public network for rural communities.

"The work to be undertaken by the 291 projects announced today will make a real difference to these parts of rural Ireland."

The funding announced is in addition to previous support, including:

• Over €45 million for seven individual projects for waste water collection and treatment needs for villages and settlements without access to public waste water services announced in December 2023; and

• Over €47 million for 256 projects announced under the multi-annual programme in November 2024.