Written answer
Water Supply
Group water schemes, including those in Kerry, can apply through the local authority for capital funding to improve services or transfer infrastructure to Uisce Éireann. Kerry County Council has €2.57 million allocated to take the Kells scheme in charge; until then, schemes remain responsible for providing safe, reliable water.
323. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the necessary funding to carry out major improvement works to all group water schemes in County Kerry in order to allow Uisce Eireann to take in charge these schemes as a matter of priority; and if he agrees that it is unacceptable for group water scheme committees to have the responsibility of providing consistent, safe drinking water to people's homes, farms, businesses and communities. [75182/26]
Comment on this
324. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the necessary funding to carryout major improvement works to the Kells group water scheme in County Kerry, and for the taking in charge of the scheme by Uisce Eireann; and his views on whether it is acceptable for a local group water scheme committee to be given the responsibility of providing consistent, safe drinking water to people's homes, farms and businesses. [75180/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 324 together.
My Department provides Exchequer funding to support the sustainable development of rural water services, working in partnership with local authorities, Uisce Éireann and local communities, including Group Water Schemes.
In July 2026, my Department launched the Capital Funding Programme for the Rural Water Sector 2027-2029. The new Programme succeeds the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) 2024 - 2026 and is the primary capital funding stream to the Rural Water Sector. The core purpose of the Programme is to provide the sector with the necessary funding for projects that will improve the quality, quantity and reliability of water services and address infrastructure deficits that are having an impact on the provision of safe and secure water services to rural dwellers.
The Programme includes targeted funding measures for source protection, water treatment, network improvements and the taking in charge of infrastructure by Uisce Éireann. Group Water Schemes in all local authority areas, including County Kerry, may apply for funding under these measures.
Applications must be submitted through the relevant local authority, which is responsible for assessing the proposals and forwarding those it endorses to my Department. The closing date for receipt of applications by the Department is 20 November 2026.
In relation to Kells Group Water Scheme, Kerry County Council has been allocated €2.57 million for the taking in charge of the scheme by Uisce Éireann. The Council is responsible for delivering the project in conjunction with Uisce Éireann and the scheme.
Group Water Schemes are community-owned and managed, and responsibility for the provision of a safe, secure and reliable water supply in areas not supplied by Uisce Eireann rests with each scheme. While I have no direct role in the day-to-day operation of individual schemes, my Department supports the sector through operational subsidies and targeted capital investment under the Rural Water Programme, including the Capital Funding Programme for the Rural Water Sector 2027-2029.