The water supply problem on the Aran island of Inis Óirr is to be alleviated by an additional water tank that can hold one million gallons of water.
Water has been rationed for the past few weeks due to the continuing dry weather. Emergency supplies were delivered to the island last Friday.
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív has sanctioned a grant of €275,000 to instal the tank. The funding will be matched by €275,000 from Galway County Council.
The council is building a reservoir on the island which will double the water capacity, but this will not be completed until October, and will depend on rainfall to fill it.