Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 578: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the sewerage schemes (details supplied) in County Westmeath will progress; the reason for the delays with those schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12851-06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Coole sewerage scheme is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2005-07 as a scheme to advance through planning at an estimated cost of €3.08 million.

My Department is awaiting some additional information requested from Westmeath County Council regarding the council's preliminary report and water services pricing policy report for the scheme. Following approval of the preliminary report, the council will be in a position to advance the scheme to construction without further reference to my Department in accordance with the revised procurement procedures that I have recently introduced under the water services investment programme for schemes costing less than €5 million.

In April 2005 my Department conveyed approval to Westmeath County Council to proceed with the Castletown-Geoghegan sewerage scheme, an independent project. That had previously been part of a pilot programme to test new, small-scale wastewater treatment systems. The scheme is being funded under my Department's devolved rural water programme. It is, accordingly, a matter for the council to arrange for the invitation of tenders and the commencement of work.