€175m Capital Funding Programme for the Rural Water Sector announced
River Barrow
A Capital Funding Programme for the Rural Water Sector has been announced by the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, James Browne, TD, and the Minister of State with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan.
Nationwide, there will be a total allocation of €175 million devoted to improving drinking water quality, resilience and reliability for rural communities across Ireland.
The new programme aims to build on substantial Government investment in the Rural Water Sector in recent years. The funding is split into eight streams with each aimed at improving water services for communities that are not connected to Uisce Éireann networks. It will also help ensure that rural communities continue to have access to high-quality drinking water while supporting the long-term sustainability of community-managed water services.
Announcing the funding today, Minister Browne said:
“The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme is a vital investment in ensuring safe, secure and resilient water services for rural communities and will help Group Water Schemes continue to provide supplies while investing in the renewal and modernisation of their infrastructure for future generations.” Minister O’Sullivan also highlighted that while Ireland is naturally abundant in terms of water resources, some rural communities are facing challenges around getting solid access to quality drinking water. He believed that the new investment programme in the sector would help them to address these issues in a way that would support public health, community wellbeing and wider rural development.
Per household, the maximum grants available will increase from €15,000 to €20,000; funding can be drawn down through a new online application system that has been launched through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Local authorities are invited to partner with Group Water Schemes in developing and submitting applications for funding under the programme, with the application process opening on 27 July 2026.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
