Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 508: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to funding for the Clonlara sewage scheme, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37351/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Clonlara Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009 under the Serviced Land Initiative measure.

In April 2009, 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, my Department informed all local authorities that the Initiative was being discontinued. All existing scheme approvals under the Initiative for which contracts had not been signed or letters of intent had not issued were withdrawn.

However, local authorities were also informed that where they were of the opinion that the continuation of a scheme is necessary for the proper development of an area, it was open to the relevant authority to make a case to the Department by 29 May 2009 for the scheme to progress. My Department is assessing the responses received, including that from Clare County Council, and the decisions on the schemes to progress will be conveyed to the relevant local authorities as soon as possible.