John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to clarify the position on this important scheme on behalf of my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Kildare town sewerage scheme is included for funding in the current water services investment programme 2007-09 at an estimated cost of €21.4 million. The scheme will provide for the expansion of the existing wastewater treatment plant, the upgrading of the town's existing collection system and the construction of new sewers to the west and south east of the town. This will have both economic and environmental benefits. In addition to facilitating future residential, commercial and industrial growth in the town, the scheme will also improve water quality in local waterways such as the Tully Stream and the Finnery River, which, in turn, feeds the River Barrow.

The Minister's Department is currently examining Kildare County Council's tender report and recommendation for the wastewater treatment plant element of the scheme, which were recently received. The council expects to submit the contract documents for the collection networks to the Department shortly.

Looking at the wider picture, a provision of €500 million is available for the water services investment programme for 2009, which is a 1% increase on the record outturn on the programme for last year. The Minister expects that the available resources will allow up to 50 major new schemes to commence this year, some of which have already begun. His Department will prioritise the remaining schemes yet to begin, including the Kildare town sewerage scheme, having regard to both environmental and economic objectives, namely, schemes required to meet national and EU environmental standards in regard to drinking water and wastewater disposal, European Court of Justice cases and works that will support the economic development of hubs and gateways under the national spatial strategy. Due priority will also need to be given to water conservation measures.

Taking account of the aforementioned objectives, the Department will work with local authorities over the coming months to identify the priority projects to form the basis of the next phase of the water services investment programme. The Kildare town sewerage scheme will be considered as part of this process. The Minister assures the Deputy that he is fully aware of the importance of this scheme to Kildare town. His Department and Kildare County Council will continue to work closely together to ensure that the council is in a position to advance the scheme should it be approved to start later this year.

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