Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan. The Department has no responsibility for, or role in, the delivery of water services infrastructure or in the management, maintenance or operation of that infrastructure. This is a matter in the first instance for Irish Water, the water services authority which is responsible under statute, for the provision, operation, maintenance and management of water infrastructure, under the general supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency. Local authorities continue to provide some elements of waste water services on behalf of Irish Water through service level agreements that have been put in place between Irish Water and the local authorities.

From 1 January 2014 Irish Water has responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. On Tuesday last, 13 May, Irish Water published its proposed capital investment plan for 2014 to 2016, outlining the indicative investment priorities in water and waste water services infrastructure over the next three years. The capital investment plan consists of a targeted programme of more than 386 individual projects, as well as a range of sub-programmes, for delivery over the next three years. On publication of the plan, Irish Water indicated that its priorities for delivery under the plan include elimination of boil water notices in Roscommon; providing more water and, in particular, reducing disruption to supply in the Dublin area; improving water quality; investing for economic development; tackling leakage; increasing waste water treatment capacity and improving environmental compliance; improving existing plants; and better control and monitoring of infrastructure and service provision.

Irish Water has confirmed that the Kildare Town waste water network is one of the projects listed in the capital investment plan and that it plans to proceed with its construction. It has indicated that the project will be advanced subject to full planning - the Deputy might clarify whether or not that has been achieved - and environmental assessment of the project, having regard to all regulatory requirements and specific legal obligations. The capital investment plan is available to download from the Irish Water website, www.water.ie. The Deputy is probably aware that there is an Oireachtas Members' e-mail address, oireachtasmembers@water.ie, and a dedicated telephone number.

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