Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 858: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when construction work will start on the new reservoir at Castlepollard, County Westmeath; the planned completion dates; and the costing afforded to this scheme. [26273/06]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 859: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when is it envisaged that the sewerage treatment plant at Castlepollard, County Westmeath will be upgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26274/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 858 and 859 together.

The Castlepollard reservoir was twenty-seventh and the Castlepollard Sewerage Treatment Plant was nineteenth on the list of water and sewerage schemes submitted by Westmeath County Council in response to my Department's request to all local authorities in 2003 to undertake assessments of needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priority lists were taken into account in the framing of subsequent phases of the Water Services Investment Programme. Given the rating afforded to these schemes by the Council, it was not possible to include them in the current Programme.

Local authorities have, however, recently been asked to carry out new assessments of needs and to review their water and waste water infrastructural priorities in light of economic, demographic and other developments that have taken place since the previous assessments were completed. New priorities emerging from this process will inform future phases of the Water Services Investment Programme.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 860: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when will a new filtration system be completed for the water originating from Lough Lene in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26275/06]

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

Lough Lene Water Supply Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005 -2007 as a scheme to advance through planning. My Department is awaiting submission by Westmeath County Council of a brief for the appointment of consultants to produce a Preliminary Report for the scheme.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 861: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when will contract documents be prepared for the serviced land initiative in Delvin so that a continuity of water and sewerage services can be guaranteed for these areas in County Westmeath. [26276/06]

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

Delvin Sewerage Treatment Plant has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005 -2007 under the Serviced Land Initiative. I approved Westmeath County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme in July 2005 and it is a matter for the Council to complete the preparation of Contract Documents.