Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Senator for raising this issue and extend the apologies of the Minister who cannot be in the House this evening. Last May, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government published the water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006. Made up of 869 schemes at different stages of development, it has a total investment value of more than €5 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 under the latest phase of the water services programme is more than €445 million, extending to 60 individual schemes. Among these are major sewerage projects for Headford, Tuam, Athenry, Ballinasloe, Clifden and Oughterard and major water supply schemes for Carna-Kilkieran, Tuam, Headford, Costelloe, Gort, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Loughrea and Portumna. 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. It is abundantly clear that a very large number of towns and villages in County Galway are reaping the benefits of the drive to bring our water and sewerage infrastructure up to a modern standard. The Glenamaddy sewerage scheme is very much part of that effort and the necessary funding for the scheme has been allocated under the current phase of the water services investment programme.

The Glenamaddy sewerage scheme has been approved in the programme to commence construction as soon as the procurement process has been completed. The estimated cost of the scheme is €3 million and the funding is available for draw-down by Galway County Council as soon as a contractor is appointed. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is awaiting a revised preliminary report from Galway County Council. The preliminary report sets out in detail the scope and scale of a water services scheme and is a key step in the approval process. I understand that the council is working on the preliminary report in this case and that it hopes to submit it to the Department for approval in the next month or so. Once the preliminary report has been cleared by the Department, the council will be in a position to proceed with the preparation of contract documents on which bids for the construction phase will be invited from suitable contractors.

As I have already indicated, the necessary funding has been set aside in the water services investment programme for 2004-06 and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will create no obstacles or avoidable delays in getting the scheme to construction. The Senator may also be interested to know that the Dunmore-Glenamaddy regional water supply scheme also features in the investment programme. Estimated to cost €13 million, it will provide an improved and more reliable water supply to Glenamaddy and surrounding areas. The water scheme is not as far advanced in the planning phase as the sewerage scheme. As matters stand the Department is awaiting a brief from the council for the appointment of consultants to draw up the preliminary report, which will be dealt with as quickly as possible when it comes to hand.

I have listened carefully to what the Senator has said. The Minister is undoubtedly just as anxious to see both the water and sewerage schemes reach construction as quickly as possible and I will ensure that he is made aware of the strong case made by the Senator for expediting the sewerage scheme in particular.