Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason funding has been withdrawn and when funding will be made available in respect of a sewerage system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18025/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Taghmon Sewerage Scheme is included for funding under the Serviced Land Initiative measure of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. My Department approved Wexford County Council's design proposals for the scheme, together with the Castlebridge and Piercestown Sewerage Schemes and the expansion in treatment capacity of the Wexford Town wastewater treatment plant, as a single project, late last year.

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approvals under the Initiative, for which contracts have not been signed or letters of intent have issued, were being withdrawn.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 Wexford County Council has yet to seek tenders for the above project. 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 the Department, by 29 May 2009, for the scheme to progress. My Department will consider any case that Wexford County Council may make within the specified time limit, in respect of this project, as quickly as possible.