Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on stipulation requiring that up to 25% of costs of the Castlebar environs sewerage scheme, County Mayo be paid up front by Castlebar Town Council and Mayo County Council; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this represents up to a €13 million contribution; his position on this kind of contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2177/05]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Castlebar environs sewerage scheme will be approved; and the percentage of the cost of the scheme which Mayo County Council must collect in regard to the polluter pays principle. [2191/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 219 together.

The Castlebar environs sewerage scheme has been approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006 at an overall estimated cost of €58.5 million. Work has already started on a number of advance sections. Mayo County Council's tender documents for the treatment plant were approved by my Department in June 2004. The council's tender recommendation in respect of the collection system and contract documents for the pumping system are under examination in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

The water services pricing policy framework requires full recovery of water services costs from the non-domestic sector, based on average operational and marginal capital costs. Capital contributions are systematically applied and recovered from non-domestic users for all new water services projects procured under my Department's water services investment programme. A fair and transparent mechanism is used to determine the appropriate level of non-domestic marginal capital costs. These costs are identified by authorities on a scheme-by-scheme basis. The methodology used and the resultant outcome is closely monitored by my Department to ensure equity in the application of this element of the policy nationally. The majority domestic capital cost element of a scheme is funded by the Exchequer through the water services investment programme with the marginal capital costs recovered from the non-domestic sector on a consolidated countywide basis over a period of up to 20 years.

My Department has requested Mayo County Council to review its water services pricing policy report in respect of the Castlebar scheme in accordance with the general policy framework. The level of the capital contributions required from the non-domestic sector in respect of the scheme will be determined when the review has been satisfactorily completed.