Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I thank the Deputy for providing me with an opportunity to clarify the position on Kerry County Council's proposals for water and wastewater facilities for Waterville and wastewater facilities for Kilcummin.

The Waterville water and sewerage schemes are designed to upgrade the water treatment plant, provide a new wastewater treatment plant and the pipework for both the water and sewerage systems. The combined schemes were to be procured under two contracts, a pipeline contract and a single contract for the two treatment plants. The water mains and sewer networks contract is substantially completed. The two treatment plants are to be procured under a single design-build-operate, DBO, contract. Kerry County Council has submitted a tender recommendation for the DBO contract to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in which it is under examination. Agreement has not been reached between the Department and the council on the level of funding to be provided by both the council and the Department for the scheme. Discussions have taken place, however, and the council is to make a further submission to the Department. When agreement is reached on the level of funding to be provided by both parties, consideration will be given to allowing the council to proceed with the scheme.

The Kilcummin sewerage scheme is part of the Lough Leane catchment sewerage scheme which was included in the Department's water services investment programme 2007-09. Kerry County Council's revised proposals for the Kilcummin scheme are under examination in the Department and a decision will be conveyed to the council as soon as possible.

In common with all local authorities, Kerry County Council was asked to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services in its area to the Department by 23 October 2009. The Department is finalising the consideration of these assessments which will form a key input to the development of the 2010-12 water services investment programme. In conducting their assessments local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression in the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria.

With the changed economic climate and completion of the first cycle of river basin management plans by local authorities in the near future, there is a greater need than ever to focus on strategic environmental and economic objectives. The 2010-12 programme will do this by prioritising projects that target public health and environmental compliance issues, support economic and employment growth and offer best value for money. The Minister expects to publish the 2010-12 water services investment programme shortly and his Department will work closely with Kerry County Council to advance priority schemes identified in the programme. I hope my reply satisfies the Deputy, whom I thank again for raising the matter.

See this speech in context