Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have this opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, to reply to the matter raised by the Deputy.

The Department's water services investment programme 2005-07, which was published in December 2005, includes funding for more than 20 schemes throughout Limerick. Towns and villages such as Athea, Askeaton, Foynes, Glin, Shanagolden, Kilmallock, Dromcollogher, Hospital, Pallasgreen and Bruff can look forward to new or upgraded sewerage schemes.

Many areas will also benefit from improved water supplies from the major upgrade planned for the Clareville water treatment plant, improvements to the Shannon Estuary water supply scheme and extensions of the Limerick county trunk water mains. In total, almost €158 million has been allocated under the programme for water and sewerage schemes in Limerick.

With regard to Adare, the Minister, Deputy Roche, is pleased that the Adare-Patrickswell sewerage scheme is approved to commence construction in 2006 in the water services investment programme at a cost of over €9 million.

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