Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that local authorities have sufficient staff, expertise, resources and funding to upgrade water treatment infrastructure in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18106/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Under the terms of the Government's decision on implementation of savings in public service numbers no public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. This decision is effective from 31 March 2009 and stands until the end of 2010. My Department has, accordingly, written to all local authorities requesting their compliance. However, in recognition of the priority attaching to the maintenance of key frontline services, my Department is consulting with the Department of Finance in regard to the management of relevant staffing needs. The needs associated with local authority water treatment infrastructure will be considered in this context.

In regard to the staffing requirements in each local authority, it is the responsibility of each county and city manager, under the Local Government Act 2001, to employ such staff and to make such staffing and organisational arrangements as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is the manager. The matters raised in the question are, accordingly, appropriately determined at local level.

The capital provision for water services infrastructure in 2009 is €500 million. The provision represents an increase of 1% on last year's outturn and, given the very difficult economic circumstances against which the 2009 estimates were framed, reflects the Government's ongoing commitment to the sector. Good progress will continue to be made under the Water Services Investment Programme in 2009. It is expected that 40 water and waste water schemes will be completed this year and that up to 50 new schemes will be able to start; a total of 160 schemes are expected to be in progress at the end of this year.

The majority of water and wastewater treatment plants are delivered under "Design Build Operate" contracts, maximising efficiency in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of this infrastructure. In addition to increased capital funding, water services authorities can avail of ongoing training courses under the auspices of the Water Services Training Group in order to support and develop expertise in the water services sector.