Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the stage the Lower Liffey Valley sewerage scheme is at; when the relevant works will be commenced; when they will be completed; if this will be done in stages or one contract; if the problem of persistent sewage odour in Leixlip will be resolved as part of this contract; the estimated cost of this works; if the relaying of pipes in Leixlip to overcome the odour problem will be done in advance of other works; the proposals in respect of the overall project that are with his Department at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39890/06]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the stage of development of the Leixlip waste water treatment plant; if funding has been notified to Kildare County Council to proceed with the work; if funding includes the rerouting of the foul sewer which is causing offensive odours in Leixlip main street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39267/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 429 together.

The Lower Liffey Valley Sewerage Scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 at an estimated cost of €31 million. The scheme provides for the expansion of the Leixlip waste water treatment plant under one contract and for the upgrading and improvement of the waste water collection systems in Celbridge, Kilcock, Leixlip (including elimination of odours), Maynooth and Straffan under other contracts. The works provided for in relation to Straffan have been completed and my Department has no proposals from Kildare County Council for any further works in the village.

I recently conveyed approval to Kildare County Council to prepare contract documents for the expansion of the Leixlip waste water treatment plant, subject to a number of conditions. The Council's contract documents for the collection systems are under examination in my Department and are being dealt with as quickly as possible.