Group water schemes
Danny Healy-Rae said rural group water and sewerage schemes lacked funding and that people were waiting for upgrades and connections. The chair and Taoiseach treated it as a programme-for-Government issue, and Minister of State Damien English replied that Project Ireland 2040 funding had been set aside and the sector was content with the capital plans.
The Government committed to provide an adequate and safe water supply and service for all. However, people on group water schemes are suffering because their schemes need to be upgraded. People are waiting for group water scheme connections, as well as group sewerage schemes, but no funding has been made available in this regard. This is a direct let-down for people in rural Ireland. The people of rural Ireland deserve a safe and adequate water supply, the same as people in urban areas. Will the Taoiseach make funding available to local authorities to ensure they can upgrade their group water schemes and allow them to take them in charge because they have not been allowed to do that either?
Comment on this
It is in the programme for Government because I put it in myself.
Comment on this
The Deputy should listen to others. I asked the Taoiseach to respond to a question on the programme for Government. I am familiar with group water schemes.
Comment on this
Increased funding has been set aside under Project Ireland 2040 for improvements in the water infrastructure, including group water schemes. We attended a conference recently and went through all the details. That sector is happy with the capital plans. Naturally, we want to get these implemented as quickly as possible.