Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he met with a group from that area to discuss this matter; if so, the persons who attended that meeting; if this scheme will be included in the polluter pay principle even though this scheme preceded the introduction of the new polluter pay principle guidelines; the reason this scheme is being included; the cost of the local contribution amount if the scheme will be included in the polluter pay principle; the reason this scheme is being included in this new polluter pay principle scheme as it was included in the small schemes initiative a number of years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29997/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Achill Sound sewerage scheme has been approved for construction under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004-06. I have already cleared Mayo County Council's tender recommendations for the scheme and its further advancement is now a matter for the council.

In common with all projects funded under the water services investment programme, the Achill Sound scheme is subject to the water services pricing — polluter pays — policy. In broad terms, this policy provides for the capital costs associated with the provision of services to meet therequirements of the existing domestic population being funded by my Department. The additional marginal capital cost of servicing non-domestic consumers, and providing for future development, is recovered by the local authority from all non-domestic consumers in its functional area through a combination of water charges on commercial consumers and planning levies on future development. Local authorities should ensure that the design and scale of individual schemes takes account of the implications of the pricing policy framework.

My Department is currently awaiting submission by Mayo County Council of a revised water services pricing policy report that will determine the appropriate apportionment of the capital costs in this case in accordance with the policy framework. The deputation I recently met, led by Deputy Carty and Councillor Michael McNamara, has been advised of the position as set out above.