Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I will respond on behalf of my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche. The water services investment programme 2005-07, published last December, includes some 60 water and sewerage schemes, with a value of more than €451 million for Galway. Many areas of the county, such as Carna, Kilkieran, Tuam and Headford, will benefit from improved water supplies. New regional water supply schemes for Costelloe, Gort, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Loughrea, Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Portumna are also included. Towns and villages such as Athenry, Ballinasloe, Barna, Carraroe, Clifden, Glenamaddy, Headford, Miltown, Oughterard, and Tuam can also expect new or upgraded sewerage schemes. All schemes will play a major role in the development of the residential, tourism and commercial sectors of these areas.

The Dunmore and Kilkerrin sewerage schemes are also included in the water services investment programme and are approved for funding under the rural towns and villages initiative. Galway County Council's tender recommendations for the construction of the collection networks for both these schemes using a single contract were approved in September 2005. The network in Kilkerrin is substantially complete and that work is well under way in Dunmore.

The treatment plants for both schemes are being procured by way of a single design build operate contract that also includes Leenane. The Minister approved Galway County Council's revised tender documents for the treatment plants for the three locations earlier this month. Approval of the tender documents allows the council to invite tenders for the construction of the treatment plants from a panel of short-listed contractors already in place. Further progress on the scheme is now a matter for the county council.

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