John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Ó Domnhaill for raising this issue. On behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, I thank him for providing me with an opportunity to clarify the position on the proposals for the procurement of wastewater facilities for the towns of Dungloe and Glenties.

The Dungloe and Glenties sewerage schemes were to advance as a joint scheme and were included in the Department's water services investment programme 2007-09. Donegal County Council submitted tender documents for the design-build-operate contract for the scheme to the Department in the first half of 2009. During the course of the Department's assessment of the documents, the county council suggested to the Department that the Burtonport sewerage scheme be progressed as part of the Dungloe-Glenties joint scheme. Additional information was requested from the county council on the Burtonport proposal to enable a decision on the grouping of the schemes to be made. While there have been ongoing discussions about the matter between the Department and the county council, the additional information sought has not yet been received. The Department understands, however, that the county council will shortly be making a submission on the matter.

In common with all local authorities, Donegal County Council was asked to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services in its area to the Department by 23 October 2009. The Department is finalising the consideration of these assessments. This will form a key input to the development of the 2010-12 water services investment programme. In conducting their assessments local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression in the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. As a result of the changed economic climate and the completion of the first cycle of river basin management plans by local authorities in the near future, there is a greater need to focus strategic environmental and economic objectives. The 2010-12 programme will do this by prioritising projects which target public health and environmental compliance issues, support economic and employment growth and offer best value for money. The Minister expects to publish the 2010-12 water services investment programme soon. His Department will work closely with Donegal County Council to advance priority schemes identified in the programme.