Private well grant (emergency treatment works) denied by council

DesperateDan

Hi folks I am having an argument with Longford county council just wondering what people think. We have a private well, which affords a grant of up to €3k every 7 years to rehabilitate and deal with any unforeseen issues. We claimed 1500 when we moved in to the derelict property (2017) to get a water filter system installed. On Friday December 9th we woke up to filthy water. We rang the people who installed the system who said very likely it needs new resin at about €800. I checked out the council's grant form where they mention if the council is satisfied the work was emergency and unforeseen within a 7 year period they will pay so long as the total claimed is not more than €3k.

I wasn't sure what the process was for claiming again so I rang the council that morning 4 times, no answer. I emailed them and got no answer. So after skimming the terms and conditions saw their grant form has a "grant application" page and "payment application" page. Both pages are identical but the payment application doesn't ask for info on "proposed works" but "works carried out". I put 2 and 2 together, figured the payment application form was applicable to us and luckily managed to schedule an appointment with the water company to fix on December 16th, costing €790.

Now after more than a dozen phone calls and back and forth emails with 3 individuals over a month they have told us we needed to apply first via the grant application page. Then have a test carried out on the water (€250 from a 3rd party with no assurance grant monies would be paid), then schedule the works, then have a test to conclude the water is drinkable again. All of that just to make sure the water was brown with chunks of dirt in it, and now it is not.

I think these terms are just ridiculous, but they are there in black and white - don't do anything until the council have approved the works and I missed them. The water company even told us the council were on to them to learn about the resin replacement, and they explained to the council that it's like having the clutch fall out of your car of course it's an unforeseen / emergency issue, and that we get it serviced every year. They spent two weeks asking us to justify that the works were "emergency". So they were fishing before concluding this rule is an iron one.

We have 2 young children (1 and 3 years old), and the chances of the council, water company, testing company and us getting all of that sorted before Christmas is silly. Water company coming on the 16th was a miracle. We can't have no water in the house for easily 4 or 5 weeks, but this is what the council is expecting. Of course if it was the middle of summer maybe we could have it resolved faster but the principal is why should a family be without clean water for X weeks?? To me this is a broken rule.

Is there a complaints procedure for county councils? Is it worth asking a local TD what they think? Is it worth asking a newspaper? What do you think?

TooTired123

Follow the complaints procedure with the Council and if you have no joy then take it to the Ombudsman.

When you go to the Ombudsman you will be going on the grounds that the process of applying for the grant was not spelled out on the website causing you to go ahead with the work without getting approval first. You will need evidence that the information needed is missing when you search for it.

Every single grant available from the state is on the same terms. You apply for the grant, you wait for approval and then you can go ahead.

DesperateDan

Thanks no I can't really complain that it wasn't spelled out because it really is, they say it on both forms in the doc, I've just assumed it was a copy paste error on their part because it didn't make any sense at all to me that there was a form for the application, then a form for the payment. If that was two separate word files even it might be a bit clearer.

In that case I guess there's nothing that can be done here I just can't believe how unfit this condition is for a water grant. Like I can understand it for loft insulation or an electric car charger, but this is our only source of water so the same kind of rule shouldn't apply.

In 4-6 years I'm going to be in the exact same situation and have to choose - pay €800 and solve the problem, or have no water in the house for several weeks :(

TooTired123

Ah yes I see there it’s in bold. I agree it’s a bit much if theres an emergency to be applying and waiting for a response especially at this time of year. Maybe write a letter to the county manager?

DesperateDan

Yeah I will try and get in touch with them - no one seems to answer the phone there!

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120183140#Comment_120183140

There’s no point in ringing. Write and keep a copy of the letter.