Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Gabhaim buíochas don Seanadóir as an tseirbhís thábhachtacht seo ina dháilcheantar a lua. I would like to give a brief overview of the major investment being made by my Department in improving water services infrastructure in County Galway and throughout the country under the national development plan. Last August, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, published the Water Services Investment Programme 2003-2005. Made up of 737 schemes at different stages of development, with a total investment value of €5.4 billion, it is the most significant milestone yet in the push to bring our water services infrastructure up to a world standard.

The total allocated to Galway county and city under the latest phase of the water services programme comes to almost €465 million, extending to some 54 individual schemes. It includes the recently completed treatment works for the Galway main drainage scheme, as well as major sewerage projects for Knocknacarra, Headford, Athenry, Barna, Clifden, Oughterard, Tuam, Carraroe, Glenamaddy, Milltown, Ballinasloe, Kilronan, Dunmore, Craughwell, Corofin and Claregalway. It also includes major water supply schemes for Galway city, Carna-Kilkieran, Headford, Gort, Tuam, the Costelloe area — I am sure that is the Gaeltacht, which would not be known as Costelloe — Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Clifden. Funding has also been provided under the serviced land initiative to bring additional residential sites on stream as rapidly as possible to meet housing needs at a number of locations around the county, including Kinvara.

It is clear from all of this that a large number of towns and villages in County Galway are directly benefiting from the drive to bring our water and sewerage infrastructure up to a modem standard. I am pleased to say that the investment programme also includes a new sewerage scheme for Kinvara, which has been approved to go through planning. A preliminary report has been received from Galway County Council for this scheme. It is being examined by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Galway County Council will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.

I have listened to the Senator's views on the impact on the economy and tourism as well the personal impact of the lack of a sewerage scheme at Kinvara. I will advise the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to take into account the issues raised by the Senator and will ensure that the examination of the preliminary report for the scheme takes place as quickly as possible.