North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has welcomed the significant capital investment to support group water schemes in rural areas, following the announcement of the new Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme.
Capital funding of €23 million has been provided for the programme in 2019, an increase of €3 million from the existing programme which finished in 2018. A total of €75 million has been committed for the three-year cycle (2019-2021) under the National Development Plan.
The programme was announced this month by Eoghan Murphy TD, the Minister Housing, Planning and Local Government, following a review the Minister put in place to examine the wider investment needs relating to rural water services.
Welcoming the programme announcement and the increase in funding, Cllr. O’Shea said: “Rural water services account for a significant portion of the country’s overall water services. Based on the most recent Census figures, 9% of people have their drinking water supplied by group water schemes.
“Capital investment to support group water schemes nationally is a key feature of the programme announced by my colleague, Minister Murphy, and the increase in funding for the programme is very welcome.
“For the capital funding measures to support group water schemes, local authorities – including Cork County Council – are being invited to submit proposals, in consultation with local group water schemes in their counties.
“The deadline for receipt of proposals in the Minister’s Department is Thursday, 14 March. I would encourage anyone who has any queries or proposals for this scheme to contact Cork County Council or myself directly,” he said.
