Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 6: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and nature of each separate project carried out to develop public water supplies for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9517/10]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 42: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money allocated and spent for each local authority to develop and or maintain its public water supplies in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form with each separate project identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9516/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 42 together.

Capital expenditure by the Exchequer between 2005 and 2009 on the provision of water supply infrastructure amounted to €1.5 billion. Some 73 such projects were completed under the water services investment programme. The first table that follows this reply sets out details of the public water supply projects completed under the water services investment programme for the period 2005-09. Information on water supply projects completed under the largely devolved rural water programme and costs associated with the maintenance of public water supplies may be obtained from individual water services authorities. The second table sets out capital expenditure by the Exchequer in each local authority area on the provision of water and wastewater infrastructure over the period 2005-09. Approximately 47% of the expenditure over the period relates to the provision of water supply infrastructure. In addition to expenditure on the completed projects shown in the first table, money was spent on additional projects advanced through the planning and construction phases for completion in subsequent years, ongoing water conservation programmes and the rural water programme. Deputies Lynch and Tuffy will agree that the extensive information in the tables is more like that found in a written reply than that provided on Question Time.

Table 1

Table 2

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will need to examine the specific details in the tables. The Minister said a total of €1.5 billion was spent over the period in question.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thought I said €1.1 billion. That is how much we spent on 73 projects between 2005 and 2009.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

How much does the Minister anticipate will be spent over the next three years? Will it be a similar amount?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The proposed water services investment programme for the years 2010 to 2012, which will be published over the coming weeks, will set out the new water supply contracts to be progressed over the period of the plan. I have not published it yet. I have already given the Deputy information on the nature of the expenditure that is incurred when investing in water supply infrastructure. I will try to find as much information as I can. As I have not yet published the 2010-12 water services investment programme, Deputy Tuffy will have to wait for further details on it. I cannot reveal in response to a parliamentary question something that has not yet been published. In general terms, I can assure the Deputy that we have not just maintained the budget - we have increased it.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the new programme, will the focus change to repairing existing infrastructure? Are there many new projects that have yet to be completed?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No. The Deputy is right. I have already said we will ensure we spend considerable additional moneys on conserving water and repairing mains pipes. It makes sense to do so. I am aware of terrible water supply difficulties, particularly in my constituency, that are caused by leaking pipes and exacerbated by the cold weather. We have to deal with that. The new programme will be fully inclusive of water conservation projects. It will show water conservation works that are in progress. New contracts are scheduled to go to construction over the next two or three years. The new programme will allow for the further progression of water conservation schemes through the planning stages. As Deputies are aware, some €130 million has been spent on water conservation measures since 2003. That expenditure has been based on the needs assessments of the water services authorities. There is potential for contracts valued at over €300 million to commence over the next three years. The intention is to facilitate this under the 2010-12 investment programme. Most of the funds will be invested in the rehabilitation or replacement of the equivalent of 650 km of mains.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Around this time last year, the House debated a circular letter that was issued by the Minister requiring local authorities to keep on account whatever incomes they had derived from development levies on foot of the Maastricht criteria. It was suggested that over €1 billion had been acquired by local authorities across the country during the period of the property bubble. The difficulty is that much of the money that was being held by local authorities, which derived from development levies, was being used to improve water systems, supplies and infrastructure. The Minister has decided to ring-fence, or lock in, such money. Even though they have the money on account, local authorities are no longer able to spend it on doing works of this nature. Is it the case that local authorities which have had this development levy money for two years will be unable to spend it this year as a consequence of the circular letter that was sent by the Minister last year?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not think the issue raised by the Deputy is directly related to the questions before the House. Greater flexibility is being afforded to county managers as a result of our discussions with them on these issues. I do not think they are experiencing the same difficulties in respect of those levies as they did previously. The Deputy should address his questions to the managers in his local area. The discussions were quite successful in ensuring the money was freed up.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We raised this matter with local authorities when county and city managers appeared before an Oireachtas committee last year.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is moving beyond the scope of these questions. I allowed him some latitude with his first intervention.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am simply asking about the moneys acquired by local authorities for the improvement of water services.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy should table a separate question on the matter.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not an issue for local authorities. The Minister sent a directive to local authorities to the effect they should not spend money they intended to use to improve water services.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This issue will have to be the subject of another parliamentary question.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It was the subject of debate on Question Time around this time last year.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is a relevant issue.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister is entitled to have notice of a Deputy's intention to raise a matter on Question Time.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Ceann Comhairle was not in the Chair at that time.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am in the Chair now.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is very important.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This issue relates directly to the provision of water services across the country. The Minister avoided answering my question at that time and he is avoiding it again today.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is holding up Question Time. He should resume his seat.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Over €1 billion is held on account by local authorities as a result of a circular letter issued by the Minister.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If he tables another question at some future stage, we will certainly allow it.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I understand it, the circular letter is still in place. Can the Minister tell the House whether it is still the case that money gained by local authorities through development levies to improve water services is still ring-fenced? Is it locked so that it cannot be spent?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy should table a separate parliamentary question on the matter.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Water shortages still exist in Dublin city and parts of the county. Parts of Howth and Sutton in my constituency are still affected because of what happened during the cold spell. When will this issue be finally resolved?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will appreciate this is a matter primarily for the Dublin local authorities. As a Dublin Deputy I too have an interest in the matter. It is essential information is posted on, say, websites so that people know when shortages and low pressure will occur. Most areas have been sorted. I know from the Sandymount area and others, that were left without water for a considerable time which caused inconvenience to people, that at night time there continue to be difficulties. That is why I have set out in the new water services investment programme my intention to invest in mains rehabilitation and water conservation projects. I will be assisting all local authorities in this, not just the Dublin ones.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have noted at home that water pressure is reduced at night. Is this due to the throttling of water supply to conserve water?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is not really a connected question.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Although I cannot speak for the local authorities, there was record demand for water during the cold spell. People left taps running and reservoirs, subsequently, ran low. Local authorities had to cut back on water supplies, particularly at night time so as to cause the least amount of inconvenience.

I understand the water pressure problem is worst in areas on high ground. I know in my area that Terenure continues to experience this difficulty. It would be better for the Deputy, or her party's local authority members, to address these questions directly to local authority managers.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Before we move to Question No. 7, I note the reply to it is the same as that given to Question No. 3. Perhaps with the agreement of the House we could proceed directly to supplementary questions.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Agreed.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the Ceann Comhairle want me to read the reply into the record?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We will take it as read. If Members do not want raise supplementary questions we could move to Question No. 8.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have no problem if we move to Question No. 8.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With respect, Question No. 3 was a priority question to which only Deputy Hogan could ask a supplementary. Not dealing with Question No. 7 deprives us of asking questions on the same matter.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am allowing supplementary questions.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would appreciate it still if the Minister would read the reply into the record.