The Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, has announced details of a new grants scheme for water supplies to private households.
The grants, to be administered by local authorities, will cover 75 per cent of approved costs to a maximum of £1,600. They will apply to households which are not connected or cannot be connected to a public or group water scheme, but will not apply to holiday homes. Qualifying work must cost more than £500 and a local authority inspection of the work must precede its start.
Mr Howlin has asked that arrangements be put in place as soon as possible "for the efficient administration of the scheme in order to ensure a high standard of service to members of the public".