Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will identify the priority need for sewerage treatment plants on a county basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36945/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Details of all major sewerage schemes included for funding by my Department are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme 2007 - 2009 which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Additional information in relation to progress on individual contracts under this Programme may be obtained from the relevant local authority.

Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for both water and sewerage services to my Department by the end of this week. These assessments will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme, which it is anticipated will be published in early 2010. In conducting their assessments, local authorities have been asked to prioritise schemes and contracts, including water conservation projects, for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria.

Local authorities have also been asked to take cognisance of parallel work on finalising the River Basin Management Plans when conducting their assessments. These plans will set out how it is proposed to manage the rivers, lakes, groundwaters and coastal waters covered by the Plan to ensure their protection. The plans, currently being finalised by the relevant local authorities, will contain a programme of measures to address the water quality issues in the area, including the identification of any necessary waste water infrastructure.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the second stage of a waste water treatment plant (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37064/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Mountmellick Sewerage Scheme (Phases 1 and 2) is approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 - 2009. Phase 1 works, which are at construction stage, involve improvement works to the existing waste water infrastructure in the town.

The Council has appointed consultants to prepare the Preliminary Report in relation to the Phase 2 works, which will involve an expansion of the treatment plant from its present population equivalent capacity of 7,000 to 16,000, together with extensions to the town's sewer network. I understand that the Council expects to be in a position to submit this report to my Department for approval in November 2009. In parallel with the preparation of the Preliminary Report, the consultants are also progressing the Environmental Impact Statement. Until the Preliminary Report and the Environmental Impact Statement are completed, it is not possible to determine exactly what works will be carried out under Phase 2.