Written answers
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Water and Sewerage Schemes
9:00 pm
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the provision of a new sewerage facility for a town (details supplied) in County Galway; his views on the discharge from the town into the bay and the danger to the shellfish industry and the health risks involved due to the contamination and delay in rectifying this situation; if he will approve revised plans currently in his Department from Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43106/09]
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Clarinbridge/Kinvara Bay is a designated water under the Shellfish Waters Directive. A Pollution Reduction Programme, which sets out specific actions to protect and improve, where necessary, the water quality in this designated water will be finalised by the end of the year. The draft programme is currently the subject of a public consultation process and a copy is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.
The Kinvara Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 â 2009. My Department has approved a Preliminary Report for the scheme. However, I understand that Galway County Council now intends to submit a Design Review Report for it.
Local authorities were asked in July to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October last. These assessments, which are currently under examination in my Department, will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. It is anticipated that the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 will be published in early 2010.
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