Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue and the Minister of State for coming to the House. We have a considerable amount of water schemes in County Galway and I estimate the county has the greatest number of water schemes in the country. I am slightly disappointed that both group water schemes and public water schemes have not progressed recently as much as I would have wished. Allegations have been made that Galway County Council has not spent all of the money allocated for group water schemes. From conversations I have had with some councillors they would contest this claim. A considerable amount of money has been spent on water schemes, a trend which should continue for both group water schemes and public water schemes.

The amount spent on sewerage schemes under construction amounts to €26 million, and €68 million will be spent on water and sewerage schemes in County Galway this year. It is disappointing that many of the smaller schemes listed in 2002 and 2003, and possibly earlier than this, appear to have been put on the 2007 list. Twelve of the schemes on the 2007 list cost less than €5 million. The smaller schemes, which make up the majority of the schemes in question, should be dealt with before 2007.

Some schemes were completed in the past under the reed bed system. The scheme in Williamstown in County Galway is an example of such a scheme. The cost of these schemes was less than 50% of the cost of a traditional scheme. Many towns have inadequate sewerage schemes and improvements to such schemes are included in the programme for 2006 and 2007.

"Design build operate" is a phrase used in connection with the construction of schemes. The scheme in Milltown in north Galway was once a standalone scheme but is now included in a group, as are schemes in Dunmore and Kilkerran. The schemes in the latter two locations are treated in conjunction with Leenane in west Galway. While I always believed it would be a good idea to use the design build operate model, I am concerned about schemes which were standalone but are now being included in bundled schemes.

I was pleased to hear the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government say before Christmas that schemes costing less than €5 million could be fast-tracked and that local authorities would not be forced to send every scheme to the Department. This is a very good idea. Allowing the county council to deal with schemes would be very welcome in a county like Galway, which has a considerable number of them.

I am sure the Minister of State is familiar with the progress of a scheme. A particular scheme looks like a very good idea, is drawn up, approved by the council and goes out to consultants. The next thing we hear is that the scheme must be enlarged, for example, it must be enlarged by a quarter of a mile on one road or half a mile on another road. The matter then returns to the Department because the scheme must be costed again, which causes significant delay. The estimated cost of schemes scheduled to start in 2007 is €256 million. I would like to have seen these schemes started this year. Progress on the 12 schemes that cost less than €5 million, such as those in Milltown and Kinvara, would be welcome. The Kinvara scheme has been raised in the Seanad by Senator Ulick Burke, in Galway County Council and in the European Parliament with regard to pollution and the threat to the environment. The Minister should eliminate some of the red tape and then we would have a great opportunity to give every small town and village a sewerage scheme and progress with the water schemes which need much more investment.