Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of the €560 million that has been invested in water services in 2009 as set out in Building Ireland's Smart Economy - A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal 2009 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17623/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 202 of 29 April 2009. The capital provision for water services infrastructure in 2009 is €500 million - a reduction of €60 million on the €560 million envisaged in the 2009 Estimates for Public Services and Summary Public Capital Programme published in October 2008. The provision represents an increase of 1% on last year's outturn and reflects the Government's ongoing commitment to the sector and to achieving the strategic goal of developing a first-class infrastructure that will improve quality of life, increase the competitiveness of Irish business and support employment as set out in Building Ireland's Smart Economy - A Framework for Sustainable Economic Revival.

It is anticipated that the resources available in 2009 will allow up to 50 major schemes to commence this year many of which will directly support economic development in gateways and hubs under the National Spatial Strategy. Investment under the Water Services Programme this year will also support over 4,000 jobs in the construction sector as well as many additional jobs in manufacturing and in the operation and maintenance of new infrastructure post completion.