Only 20 per cent of eligible, private group water schemes in Co Galway have applied for State funds. Following a protracted campaign on water charges, the last Government announced a £7 million subsidy to meet the operating costs of group water schemes. But the take-up of the subsidy in Co Galway has been low. Of the country's 450 private group water schemes, only 90 have applied, which works out at £75 per household.
The Galway East Fine Gael TD, Mr Paul Connaughton, who had campaigned strongly for a subvention to be paid to group schemes, expressed surprise at the poor take-up of the subsidies. "It's good money going to waste," he said. "Just 90 group schemes applying for the financial package seems small in view of the massive campaign that was launched on behalf of these same schemes prior to the general election.