Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

When will work on this scheme commence? I had expected that this scheme would commence because it was promised sincerely two years ago. There are two vital questions to which the people, traders and organisations in Kilmallock seek answers. First, the environmental section of the council is anxious to ensure that sewage disposal in Kilmallock complies with European Union urban waste water treatment work directives. In December 2003, Environmental Resources Management Limited presented a report commissioned by the Kilmallock town traders, which outlined 37 recommendations for improvement in the town, many of which were dependent on the construction of a sewerage scheme. The population of Kilmallock has declined significantly over the years because of the lack of opportunity to develop housing there, although some development has taken place in recent years by a contractor who privately organised the disposal of sewage. The proposals currently before the Department will provide for a population equivalent of 4,000 with a possibility of future development.

I refer to the marginal pricing policy for the towns. At present, the allocation is 40% to Kilmallock. The council cannot come up with this if the scheme comes to fruition because income from development charges has completely dropped off as a result of the recession and, consequently, the finances are not in place. As the Minister has increased the level of marginal pricing policy to 90% in other areas, I also seek such an allocation. Moreover, the domestic demand to which I ask it to be extended does not add a lot. It is important to have a sewerage scheme to attract new commercial enterprises and to do so, a new plant is required. A plant is needed for industry and for the other reasons I already have outlined.

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