Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 979: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his decision arising from a meeting in Dáil Éireann on 24 January 2007 with members of a council (details supplied) in County Mayo in regard to the Crossboyne sewerage scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the urgency of this matter in view of his decision in informing the people that they would have the relevant information by the end of February 2007, which decision has not been communicated to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15536/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1032: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when an application for funding (details supplied) was first lodged with his Department; the progress it has made to date; and the estimated cost of the works. [15020/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1033: 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 the community council of that area; what happened at that meeting; and when funding will be approved for that scheme. [15021/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 979, 1032 and 1033 together.

The Mayo Towns and Villages Sewerage Scheme, which includes Ballyheane, Charlestown, Cross, Crossboyne and the Neale, is approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-07 at an estimated cost of €6.07m.

Further consideration will be given to the Council's Preliminary Report for Ballyheane, Cross, Crossboyne and Neale, (which includes proposals to pump wastewater from Crossboyne to the Claremorris Wastewater Treatment Plant), on receipt of additional information requested from the Council last month. The Preliminary Report was under examination by my Department when I met the deputation from Crossboyne in January last. The additional information requested from the Council in the meantime is required to demonstrate that all elements of the proposal are fully justified on economic and environmental criteria; this was a condition of my Department's 2004 approval of the Council's brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare the Preliminary Report.

The Preliminary Report for the Charlestown element of the scheme was received earlier this month and is being dealt with as quickly as possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 981: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the local community at Bawnogues, Straffan, County Kildare whose homes rely on septic tanks and who are anxious to be included in the proposed Straffan sewerage scheme; if he has had discussions with the relevant section of Kildare County Council with a view to ensuring the availability of facilities through the proposed scheme, thereby eliminating potential pollution threats in an area within the River Liffey catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15781/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1038: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the various sewerage treatment or pipeline facilities throughout County Kildare in respect of which his Department directly or through Kildare County Council has received complaints of methane gas emissions; his proposals to address this issue with particular reference to the ongoing complaints in this regard at Main Street, Leixlip; when he expects these issues to be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15061/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1054: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the need to meet the requirements of the existing residents at Bawnogues, Straffan, County Kildare in the context of proposals for the provision of a sewerage scheme which as proposed is only expected to meet the needs of proposed development; if his Department has had discussions with Kildare County Council in this matter with particular reference to the need to ensure the extension of the facilities to the existing community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15351/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 981, 1038 and 1054 together.

The Lower Liffey Valley Sewerage Scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-07 at an estimated cost of €31 million. The scheme provides for the expansion of the Leixlip wastewater treatment plant under one contract and for the upgrading and improvement of the wastewater collection systems in Celbridge, Kilcock, Leixlip, Maynooth and Straffan under other contracts.

The works provided for in relation to Straffan were completed last year and my Department has no proposals from Kildare County Council for any further works in the Straffan area. In January of this year I approved Kildare County Council's contract documents for the network upgrading in the other locations and have also authorised the Council to prepare contract documents for the expansion of the Leixlip wastewater treatment plant. The works to the collection system in Leixlip include proposals to eliminate the odour problem in Main Street. My Department has received no complaints or submissions, either directly or through Kildare County Council, in relation to wastewater related odours at any other location in the county.