Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Higgins for the opportunity to clarify the position at the wastewater treatment plant at Dún Ard, Craughwell, County Galway. As she is aware, the provision of water and sewerage services is the responsibility of the 34 city and county councils which are designated as water services authorities under the Water Services Act 2007.

The Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-13 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some ¤130 million in the county during the period of the programme.

A key input to the development of the programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities, including Galway County Council, in response to the Department's request to the authorities in 2009 to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital works in their areas. These were subsequently appraised in the Department in the context of the funds available and key criteria that complemented those used by the authorities. However, the Craughwell sewerage scheme was not among the priority contracts and schemes selected for inclusion in the current programme.

Progress under the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-13 was reviewed in mid 2011 and through this process consideration was given to any newly-emerging priority contracts and schemes submitted by local authorities for addition to the programme. No proposal for a sewerage scheme at Craughwell was received from Galway County Council in response to the review.

In accordance with the 2007 Act, my role as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for water services is to facilitate the provision by water services authorities of safe and efficient water services and associated water services infrastructure. The Department's role is in developing and implementing Government policy in this area, making sure that the necessary funding is made available to finance the water services investment and the rural water programmes and monitoring physical and financial progress on schemes. In the period 2000-11, over ¤5.5 billion has been invested in the water services sector under these programmes.

The wastewater treatment plant referred to at Craughwell, County Galway, is a privately-owned and managed wastewater treatment plant. The Department has no responsibility for, or role to play in, the management, maintenance or operation of such plants. Galway County Council has advised the Department that this is a development which remains the responsibility of the developer and has been the subject of enforcement proceedings by the county council. Galway County Council is in ongoing discussion with the developer and is making every effort to ensure that the development, including its wastewater treatment plant, is brought up to the required standard, with a view to management of the development being taken over by the management company formed for this purpose.

I suggest to the Senator that this is likely to be an issue for the planning authorities for enforcement purposes in respect of this developer and to ensure there is a proper standard of wastewater treatment facilities for the people who live in Dún Ard in Craughwell. That is the appropriate way to bring the matter to a successful conclusion.