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

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €119.87 million to Donegal County Council under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Council. Full details of currently approved major schemes in County Donegal, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Donegal County Council will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

Tom McEllistrim (Kerry North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 526: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in County Kerry since 1997 to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13658/07]

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

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €79.73 million to Kerry County Council under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Council. Full details of currently approved major schemes in County Kerry, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Kerry County Council will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 527: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 602 of 27 March 2007, when he issued regulation or law that insisted that schemes such as Donaghmoyne were not entitled to grant aid due to the fact that they opted out of the newly introduced system; if consumers are not entitled to the long term savings due to them through a twenty year contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13705/07]

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

My Department published a Procurement Guidance Document for Small Water Services Schemes in November 2002 with the objective of ensuring that procurement in each case is fair and transparent and accords with national and EU procurement requirements. The document provides specific guidance on the implementation of public procurement rules in the rural water sector and I am arranging to have a copy forwarded to the Deputy.

The procurement of the Donaghmoyne Group Water Scheme's water treatment plant did not comply with these requirements in relation to appointment of the client's representative, the submission and opening of tenders and the selection of the contractor. In all such cases prior approval is required from both my Department and the local authority to the brief, the selection and appointment of the client's representative and the proposed scale of fees. Local authority and Departmental approval of the Technical Specification and Contract Documents is also needed before tenders may be invited. The Donaghmoyne Group Water Scheme did not seek or obtain these approvals. Neither did the group comply with the requirement for sealed tenders to be submitted and opened by the local authority or for approval to be obtained to the award of a contract. In the circumstances, and under the terms of the Rural Water Programme, no grant may be paid in this case.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 528: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in Dublin City and Fingal since 1997 to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13729/07]

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

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €456.8 million and €149.34 million respectively to Dublin City and Fingal County Councils under the Water Services Investment Programme in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Dublin City and Fingal, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Dublin City and Fingal County Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 529: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a sewerage scheme in Milltown, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13751/07]

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

Milltown is part of Phase 1 of Kerry County Council's proposal to refurbish a number of village sewerage schemes which is being funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005 –2007.

I understand that the Council has appointed a contractor for the pipelines element of the Milltown scheme and that the work is expected to commence this month. The closing date for receipt of tenders for the sewage treatment plant contract is 20 April 2007.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 530: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a sewerage scheme in Boolteens Village, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13752/07]

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

Phase 1 of the Kerry Villages Waste Water Project which will provide improved wastewater infrastructure in fourteen villages, including Boolteens, is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 at an estimated cost of €8.5m. My Department is awaiting the submission by Kerry County Council of a Preliminary Report for the scheme.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 531: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a sewerage scheme in Tarbert, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13753/07]

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

I refer to the reply to Question No. 265 of 8 February 2007.