Addressing those in attendance at the Annual Delegate Conference, NFGWS chairperson, Vincent Farrelly, was at pains to thank delegates for their support during the prolonged preparation period for the new Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) and for the incredible amount of work that has gone into preparing so many funding applications since its launch.
86 delegates, representing 16 county and cross-county Federations, attended this year’s conference, agreeing a total of 46 motions on a range of issues. The ADC also saw the election of two new members to the NFGWS board directors. With Joe Harte and John Heslin retiring, Mayo Federation nominee, Connie O’Driscoll, and Roscommon Federation’s Niamh Carroll were both elected unopposed to the vacant positions.
Speaking about his long-serving, retiring colleagues, Mr Farrelly said: ‘Both have given great time and effort to the betterment of the sector. On behalf of all in the Federation, I wish them well and thank them for their contribution.’
Capital funding
Some 10 motions focused on capital funding. Both the Carlow & Wexford Federation and Cork & Kerry Federation put forward motions to ensure that local authorities are adequately resourced to fulfil their role under the MARWP by providing timely technical and administrative support.
Following discussions from the floor, it was decided that the Cork & Kerry motion would be referred to the NFGWS board, with a view to adding reference to the specific need for appropriate levels of engineering resources within local authorities to help assist GWSs.
The Cavan Federation called for the NFGWS to reinstate/re-engage dormant Rural Water Monitoring Committees to help in tracking project progression under the MARWP and as a means of ensuring that all GWSs have a regular discussion platform.
Two motions from the Kildare, Meath and Wicklow Federation concerned the MARWP application process. Its first asked for the NFGWS to liaise with the DHLGH and other stakeholders to develop a standard GWS application form for future MARWPs. The county federation also proposed that GWSs be allowed make funding applications during the lifetime of the current MARWP, in order to achieve greater continuity between programme cycles.
A similar motion from Louth asked for greater continuity to avoid long delays between funding cycles. The Louth Federation also tabled a motion that the DHLGH ensures that funding allocations under the 2024–2026 are awarded as quickly as possible.
Leitrim Federation requested that the NFGWS continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to progress the taking-in-charge of publicly-supplied GWSs without further delay. Its second motion proposed that the DHLGH ensures that the goal of achieving of equity and fairness for the GWS sector is weighted equally as important under the MARWP as the need to maintain compliance with the public spending code.
With a look to the future, Carlow & Wexford Federation also tabled a motion asking that future MARWPs make funding available to install technologies that recover or harness energy.
Rural Water Sector Review
Regarding the ongoing review of the rural water sector, the Mayo Federation called for the NFGWS to continue to represent the GWS sector’s concerns during the process.
Similarly, the Cork & Kerry Federation and Leitrim Federation put forward motions calling for the NFGWS to maintain support for privately-sourced group water schemes that do not want to be taken-in-charge, and that these GWSs remain supported through operational and capital funding.
The Galway and Tipperary Federations also proposed motions asking that such funding continues to be available to the sector, while Offaly and Westmeath Federation called for the NFGWS to ensure that any recommendations from the review to address operational and capital issues on GWSs would be eligible for funding/assistance under the MARWP.
A motion from the Monaghan Federation asked the NFGWS continues to highlight, to the DHLGH, the vital role of the GWS sector in the historic and ongoing development of the rural economy. Especially highlighting the individual financial contributions of GWS members, including farmers who gave permission for watermains to go through their lands, the hours of local labour, general good will and the current employment the sector provides (direct and indirect) in some of the most rural areas of Ireland. Likewise, Louth Federation called for the review to recognise the work of GWS volunteers and their vital role in the rural water sector.
Operational costs
Many motions related to increased operational costs had a particular focus on smaller group water schemes with a high proportion of domestic users. Three federations called for the NFGWS to work closely with smaller GWSs to ensure they have adequate funding through the operational subsidy. The motion from the Mayo Federation also made mention of publicly-sourced GWSs.
Three more similar motions called for the NFGWS to continue to review GWS running costs across the board to assess whether the current levels of operational subsidy are adequate. The Cavan Federation motion on the topic include a request to recognise the need for sustainable 20+ year contracts for future DBO arrangements.
DBO
On the subject of DBO contracts, a Monaghan Federation motion also asked for the 20 year length of contracts to be maintained into the future, and that GWSs nearing the end of their current contract have full assessments of their treatment plant completed, and that there is a provision made for other schemes to join a DBO bundle during contract term in accordance with contractual terms & conditions.
Clare Federation called for funding arrangements to be put in place for the design and upgrade of expiring DBO-contracted GWS treatment plants, if required. Sligo Federation asked that GWSs are consulted as part of the DBO review process and allowed give input into any proposed changes to new contracts and a Galway Federation motion sought to ensure that GWSs are not disadvantaged in any way in new DBO arrangements.
Roscommon and Longford Federation proposed that the GWS assessments in advance of new DBO contracts take into consideration the ongoing effects of climate change and on drinking water sources.
Proposed constitutional amendment
Addressing the potential of a constitutional amendment related to the ownership of water services in Ireland, four federations called for the NFGWS to ensure that the wording of such an amendment does not have a negative impact on the GWS sector.
Climate action
A motion from Limerick Federation asked that the NFGWS liaise with relevant agencies to make it easier for GWSs to drawn down grants for the completion of energy audits and the subsequent implementation of their recommendations. The Federation pointed out that this will also help to address increasing electricity costs for GWSs. Three federations called for future MARWPs to have greater emphasis on climate action projects.
Many local authorities met online and in person with group water schemes, while some also attended NFGWS county federation annual general meetings to provide highly appreciated guidance.
In the latter weeks of the window, NFGWS development officers worked closely with group water schemes in their regions, along with any appointed technical advisors and relevant local authorities to help identify prospective projects and prepare thorough applications.
In particular, the NFGWS was heavily involved in co-ordinating applications for 84 group water scheme integrated source protection plans. These GWSs fall into areas for action identified in either the River Basin Management Plan Cycle 2 or the upcoming Cycle 3, in which the NFGWS has been listed as a lead organisation with said catchments.
Appraisal of applications
Following the 12 April deadline for submissions from LAs, the DHLGH is in the process of screening each application to determine their eligibility for funding under the Programme. Applications that meet the terms and conditions of the MARWP and are in a satisfactory state of completeness will then be submitted to an Expert Panel for full evaluation and prioritisation.
Expert Panel
The Expert Panel comprises an independent chairperson, representation from EPA, Uisce Éireann, and the DHLGH. The Panel will make recommendations to the DHLGH on the suitability of projects for funding, based on the objective criteria set out in the Framework document. Following this process, the Department will consider the recommendations of the Panel and make a final submission for the consideration and approval of Minister Darragh O’Brien.
Despite the high number of applications anticipated, the Department remains hopeful that funding announcements can be made for priority projects in the coming months.
The NFGWS Annual Report 2023 can be read here.
