Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who regrets that he cannot be present. I thank Deputy Breen for raising this matter.

Doolin is linked with Ballyvaughan and Corofin as part of a grouped sewerage scheme that is funded under my Department's water services investment programme 2007-09. It is one of some 25 water and sewerage schemes included in the programme for County Clare. Together these schemes will provide modern water and wastewater services in almost 40 different areas of the county. The overall value of this package is €236 million and it will make a huge difference to environmental standards and economic development opportunities all over Clare.

The Ballyvaughan, Corofin and Doolin project will provide new wastewater treatment plants for each of the three locations, as well as new and improved sewage collection networks. It will play a major role in facilitating development and supporting the tourism sector, which is of paramount importance to these communities.

The high cost of servicing low density unsewered development has been an issue with a number of sewerage schemes in Clare. It has been necessary to review and adjust the design of these schemes in order to bring costs down to a level where they could be justified in economic terms. This was successfully achieved with the Feakle, Scarriff and Quilty scheme where my Department's Exchequer contribution has been agreed and work is well under way.

The same issue of affordability also arose with the Ballyvaughan, Corofin and Doolin project. Following examination of Clare County Council's water services pricing policy and economic review reports for the project, Exchequer funding of up to €6.025 million was approved by my Department under the water services investment programme in August 2007. The approval of this funding, which is in line with the affordability criteria for all new sewerage schemes, was intended to give Clare County Council a clear financial structure within which it could recast the design of the scheme in a more economically efficient way.

Also in August 2007, approval was given to the council to advance the scheme for Corofin which, unlike the other two locations, does not require a foreshore licence. Work is now under way on that element of the project.

I agree with Deputy Breen on the great appeal of Doolin. Clare County Council is reviewing the proposal in light of the funding available from my Department and issues relating to the foreshore licence. Further progress is therefore in the council's hands at the moment and is not subject to any submission currently before my Department for consideration. I assure the Deputy that the Department will deal quickly with any revised proposals received from the council with a view to getting the scheme to construction at an early date.

See this speech in context