Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for his good wishes, which were extended previously. I extend good wishes to him in regard to his activities next weekend.

We have been working on this issue together since our election in 2007. The Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009, which was published in September 2007, includes 20 major water and sewerage schemes at various stages of planning and construction, with a value of more than €205 million for County Mayo. These includes Ballina sewerage scheme and the extension of Ballina water supply scheme to Crossmolina costing almost €24 million between them, both of which are substantially complete. In addition, Castlebar sewerage scheme costing €50 million and Achill Sound sewerage scheme costing €7.4 million are under construction. A range of other schemes is advancing through the planning process.

The schemes in the programme, including Kiltimagh sewerage scheme, will provide much needed modern water and wastewater infrastructure in many areas of the county. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government originally approved a budget for the Kiltimagh sewerage scheme in September 2008, and approved an increase in the budget recently, bringing the total amount approved to just under €9.2 million. The scheme comprises two related elements, which involve the upgrading of the collection system and the treatment works. Separate contracts are involved for each element.

The Department approved Mayo County Council's preliminary report and the preparation of contract documents for the collection network and wastewater treatment plant for a population equivalent of 3,300 in February 2004. The contract documents for the collection network were approved in May 2007, which allowed Mayo County Council to advance to the procurement stage. While tenders were received and examined by the council, the Minister understands from the council that the successful tenderer withdrew before signing the contract. The council is considering its options for progressing these works and the Department expects to receive a report on the outcome of this consideration in the near future.

The council's contract documents for the wastewater treatment plant design, build, operate contract for an increased population equivalent of 4,000, were approved by the Department in January 2007. The council submitted their tender recommendation for this contract, which includes the operational and maintenance element of the Killala and Achill Sound sewerage schemes, in late December 2008. The Department raised some queries with the council to complete its examination of the tender recommendation and the necessary clarifications were received last month.

The Minister understands the scheme is important for the local community, as it will ensure that the town has a sewerage scheme capable of meeting current demands, that there will be capacity to service new development and that environmental standards, including water quality in local rivers, will be preserved and improved for the benefit of the town and its residents. He will ensure that there is no avoidable delay in the Department finalising its examination of the council's tender recommendations and has agreed, on my request, to meet a delegation from Kiltimagh as soon as is possible. I will continue to work with the Deputy to finalise this project but, as he will be aware, there were delays that were beyond even the Department's control over the past few years.

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