The Domestic Well Grant is under utilised and is a viable option for people in rural areas who want to secure and improve their water supply, Deputy Peter Burke TD has highlighted.
Noting that the grant is very much available, the Longford Westmeath TD commented, "ten percent of people in this country get their water from a domestic well. Often, families are not aware that there is significant financial assistance to people who wish to establish their own well.
“Grants of up to 75 percent of the cost, subject to a maximum allowed of approximately €2,000, are available under the Rural Water Programme for the provision of, or improvements to, an individual water supply in a house.
“The grant allows you to bore a new well, upgrade an existing well or install a treatment system.
“The Well Grant Scheme is to assist households, dependent on private individual water supplies, who are incurring capital expenditure to provide a piped supply of water for domestic purposes or remedy serious deficiencies in an existing supply of water for domestic purposes.
“I strongly encourage those people who meet the criteria to contact your local authority for more information on this grant and the full qualifying conditions,” the Fine Gael TD noted.
“You are eligible for a Well Grant if your house is over seven years old, if you haven’t received a grant to house within the last seven years and if you are not connected to a public water supply. The grant is a maximum of €2031.58 or 75 percent of overall cost of works, whichever is the lesser. An initial inspection has to be carried our prior to any works been done but after that, it is a straightforward process.
“As a public representative for a rural constituency, and a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development, I think it is important that people are aware of the grants available to them and fully utilise all government supports which are provided for the benefit of rural dwellers," the Deputy concluded.
