News that €2.6 million is to be spent on group water schemes in county Galway has been welcomed today by Seán Canney, Galway East TD and Minister for OPW and Flood Relief.
‘News that €2.6 million is to be spent on group water schemes in county Galway in the multi annual programme from 2016 to 2018 is excellent news for scheme members all across the county. Galway has been allocated over €1.4 million in a block allocation, the spending of which will be overseen by Galway County Council. A further sum of €1.2 million is allocated for specific schemes, including amalgamations of schemes.
‘This funding is targeted at improving the quality and efficiency of water supplies for group scheme members. The allocation for county Galway is the second highest in the country, which reflects the high number of group water schemes in the county and the need for ongoing upgrades of these schemes.
‘Group water schemes are the backbone of water supplies in many areas of rural Ireland and I am delighted that this is reflected in today’s announcement. This is due recognition of the huge voluntary effort that goes into providing quality water in rural areas. Funding for group water schemes was something that the Independent Alliance pressed hard for during the negotiations on the programme for government and I am delighted as an independent member of the government, to see today’s allocation and the recognition it gives to the role of group water schemes .’