Westmeath's €198,250 funding for group water schemes third lowest in country

A rural water programme designed to deliver improvements to private domestic water and waste water services in areas of rural Ireland will see a total of €198,250 paid out to Westmeath projects.

The programme will see group water scheme projects in Westmeath get funding to deliver essential water and wastewater infrastructure.

The local allocation is part of an overall national spend of €73.9m on 291 projects across the county.

The €198,250 allocated to projects in Westmeath is made under the government's multi-annual rural water programme 2024–2026.

“Today’s announcement is great news for communities in Westmeath. It’s so important that we protect our water sources and ensure the highest standards in water treatment,” Fine Gael Minister Peter Burke said.

Westmeath has the third lowest payout under the scheme, with only Wicklow and Waterford being lower on the ranking of 23 counties to receive the funding.

Nine local water schemes will receive the funding ranging from allocations between €25k and €17k.

In the national picture Mayo projects total €20,814,156, while Donegal nets €16,115,229 and Clare receives €14,708,844.

Minister Burke said: “We see how important investing in our rural water Infrastructure is and how efficient and good quality water services are essential to rural living.

“The Rural Water Programme delivers improvements to private domestic water and waste water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services.”

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said the funding targets areas where it is most needed: “This funding and the completion of these projects will allow Group Water Schemes to continue to improve the quality, quantity and reliability of the water services across Westmeath.

“Fine Gael is working hard to improve our infrastructure to ensure more homes can be built. This funding to improve our water and wastewater facilities will go a long way to supporting communities,” concluded Minister Burke.