Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17581/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Clonlara Sewerage Scheme is included for funding under the Serviced Land Initiative in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. My Department approved Clare County Council's revised Preliminary Report for the scheme in 2007. Last month, my Department, following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative in light of developments in the economy at large, and in the housing market in particular during 2008, and having regard to the oversupply of housing in some areas, informed all local authorities that all existing approvals under the initiative, for which contracts have not been signed or letters of intent have issued, were being withdrawn.

I understand that, in this case, no letter of intent has issued and that a contract has not been signed. However, authorities were also informed that where a water services authority is of the opinion that the continuation of an approved scheme for which contracts have not been signed is necessary for the proper development of the area, it is open to the authority to make a case to my Department, by the 29 May 2009, for the scheme to progress. My Department will consider any case, which Clare County Council may make in respect of this scheme within the specified time limit, as quickly as possible.