Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to set out the position on this scheme.

The Rathowen sewerage scheme has been approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to advance through planning at an estimated cost of €1.9 million. The scheme is one of a total of 19 water services projects being progressed in County Westmeath at present. The current water services investment programme, which I announced last September, provides for an investment of €219 million in water and sewerage schemes in County Westmeath over the next few years. The range of new water and sewerage schemes planned and in progress for Westmeath provides strong evidence of the Government's determination to safeguard our water quality, while at the same time making provision for new housing, new jobs and all the other requirements of a successful economy.

The village of Rathowen is serviced by individual septic tanks and proprietary wastewater treatment systems. The proposed sewerage scheme for Rathowen will involve the laying of a collection network around the village and the provision of a treatment plant to cater for a population equivalent of 1,000 persons. The scheme is a major infrastructural improvement for the village, catering for the existing population and allowing for reasonable growth and expansion, both in the domestic and non-domestic sectors. The scheme is important in environmental terms, with the proposed treated outfall to the River Black rendering redundant the existing reliance on individual treatment systems.

In November 2005 the Department approved the preliminary report for the scheme which sets out the design and scope of the proposal. However, approval was subject to resolution of the level of funding to be provided towards the cost of the scheme from the non-domestic sector. In June 2006 the Department outlined several concerns regarding the county council's approach to the non-domestic contribution to the scheme costs. It also asked the county council to reconsider the scope for reducing the cost per household.

The county council submitted a design review report to the Department in August 2007. Having examined the matter further, the Department suggested to the county council in December 2007 that the scheme might be more appropriate to the serviced land initiative scheme, under which the Department would meet 40% of costs and the county council would meet the balance, primarily through development levies. In February 2008 the county council responded, asking the Department to reconsider this proposal. The Department will respond to the county council presently.

I am as anxious as Senator Camillus Glynn for the construction and completion of the scheme in Rathowen as quickly as possible. The Department will do everything it can to ensure this happens.