Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Finucane for raising this matter on the Adjournment. The 2004-06 water services investment programme of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which was published in May 2004, includes funding for more than 20 schemes in County Limerick. Towns and villages like Adare, Patrickswell, Athea, Askeaton, Foynes and Glin can look forward to new or upgraded sewerage schemes. Many areas will benefit from the improved water supplies which will result from the planned major upgrade of the Clareville water treatment plant, the planned improvements to the Shannon estuary water supply scheme and the planned extensions of the Limerick county trunk water mains. Almost €143 million has been allocated under the water services investment programme for water and sewerage schemes in County Limerick.

The Shanagolden sewerage scheme is being developed with the Athea, Askeaton and Foynes sewerage schemes as part of a grouped project. This major infrastructural undertaking will upgrade and extend existing sewerage treatment plants and sewage collection networks and provide new plants and networks if they are needed. It will play a major role in the economic and social development of the towns and villages in question, including Shanagolden. It has been estimated that the grouped project will cost almost €16 million. The project has been assigned construction status under the water services investment programme. The preparation of detailed contract documents will commence when the council has submitted its preliminary reports for the schemes and has received approval from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

I ask Senator Finucane to listen carefully to this part of my response. In 2002, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government approved briefs for the appointment of consultants to prepare preliminary reports for the various schemes. Limerick County Council's fee proposals for the appointment of consultants to prepare the reports were subsequently approved in 2003. That cleared the way for the progression of the reports and the submission of the reports to the Department. However, the council subsequently submitted substantially increased fee proposals and cost estimates for the schemes. I can give the Senator details of the increases if he wishes. It has been impossible for the Department to approve the increases. A submission on this issue was received from the council on 31 May last, following correspondence and consultation between the council and the Department. The submission, which also deals with the proposed inclusion of Glin sewerage scheme as part of the group, is being considered by the Department. I assure the Senator that a response will issue to it shortly.

I am conscious of the need for the project to get under way and of the Senator's concerns in this regard. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will do everything possible to avoid unnecessary delay. The necessary funding has been allocated for the scheme under the water services investment programme. That money will be available for drawdown by the council when it is possible for the work to start on the ground. In the meantime, it is important for the Department and the council to make progress with the preliminary stages as quickly as possible.