Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith has called on the Government to implement measures to ensure equitable treatment of householders on group water schemes and public water supplies.
Deputy Brendan Smith says the Housing Minister must now follow through on his commitment to implement the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services. It stated that “the principles of equity of treatment and equivalent financial support should be applied equally between households on public water supplies and those in Group Schemes and those using individual water and waste water systems”.
“We have a very strong network of successful group water schemes throughout Cavan and Monaghan, and Fianna Fáil has a proud record in Government in ensuring a massive investment in upgrading existing schemes and indeed constructing new schemes. This work was a great partnership between Government, local authorities and local communities and I was very glad to support that work. The role of these group water schemes must continue to be supported through direct Government subvention” said Deputy Smith.
“These schemes are extremely important for rural communities and in many instances provide the main water supply for villages and small towns. The Water Services Bill must not disadvantage the people participating on these schemes and the future working of such schemes.
“Replying to me in a Parliamentary Question, Minister Murphy confirmed that his Department “will shortly commence a review involving the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and other relevant stakeholders to advance the recommendation of the Committee in relation to the quantification of investment required to equalise treatment between those availing of domestic water services from Irish Water and those availing of private services”.
“I am urging him to progress this recommendation as a matter of priority to ensure that group water schemes will receive the funding they need and will not be left disadvantaged under any new legislation”.
For Written Answer on : 03/10/2017
Question Number(s): 615 Question Reference(s): 41619/17
Department: Housing, Planning and Local Government
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Housing; Planning and Local Government the measures he plans to implement to ensure equitable treatment of householders on group water schemes and householders on public water supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services reported in April 2017 and its Report was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Committee recommended that the principles of equity of treatment and equivalent financial support should be applied equally between households on public water supplies and those in Group Schemes and those using individual water and waste water systems.
The Water Services Bill 2017 was published recently and the provisions in the Bill give effect to the recommendations of the Committee. My Department will shortly commence a review involving the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and other relevant stakeholders to advance the recommendation of the Committee in relation to the quantification of investment required to equalise treatment between those availing of domestic water services from Irish Water and those availing of private services.