I have called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to extend the time for Multi Annual Rural Water Programme funding draw down due to delays over the last 12 months.
“To date less than 25% draw down of funding under the programme has put severe pressure on Group Water Schemes who have been allocated funding and for which as yet no construction has commenced”.
“The programme was severely affected due to COVID and this has delayed the planning and design stages”.
“The funding approval is for works that are essential to ensure in the Group Water Schemes can maintain water quality and reduces leakages and waste of water”.
“The Department need to be flexible in their approach to funding deadlines as we cannot penalise the schemes who are doing great work on a voluntary basis due to circumstances beyond their control”.