Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will made available to commence work on a scheme (details supplied); the provisional completion date for work; the position regarding the implementation of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2414/10]

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will made available to commence work on a scheme (details supplied); the provisional completion date for work; the position regarding the implementation of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2418/10]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps that have been taken to establish an investigation into the flooding of Cork City in November 2009; the form this investigation will take; the person who it will report to; if it will have to report within a set timeframe; when it will be established; if the Electricity Supply Board and Cork City Council will be involved in this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2421/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 281 and 283 together.

The Kinvara and Athenry Sewerage Schemes, and the Portumna Regional Water Supply Scheme were included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. All three schemes are in the planning phase. My Department awaits Galway County Council's revised Preliminary Report for the Kinvara and Athenry Schemes. In the case of the Portumna Regional Water Supply Scheme, my Department is currently examining the Council's revised Brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare the Preliminary Report for the scheme. A decision on this brief will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible in the light of the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme for 2010 to 2012.

Last July, local authorities were asked to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently examining these assessments, which 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. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will made available to commence work on a scheme (details supplied); the provisional completion date for work; the position regarding the implementation of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2416/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Gort Regional Water Supply Scheme was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009, and this scheme is at the planning stage.

Last November, my Department approved Galway County Council's tender proposals to carry out remedial works at the existing treatment plant under the EPA Remedial Action List programme to deal with water quality issues in the supply, in advance of proposals for a new plant under the Regional scheme.

Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently examining these assessments, which 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. Further proposals for the proposed Gort Regional Water Supply Scheme will be considered in that context. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year, based on key environmental and economic criteria. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year .

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will made available to commence work on a scheme (details supplied); the provisional completion date for work; the position regarding the implementation of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2419/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Craughwell Sewerage Scheme was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007- 2009. Galway County Council originally proposed to advance the Craughwell scheme as part of a four-scheme bundle, which also included the Carraroe, Claregalway and Milltown Sewerage schemes.

My Department has received the Council's contract documents for the bundle. However, outstanding planning issues in relation to the Craughwell and Carraroe schemes preclude the Council from issuing a certificate of completion of planning which is necessary to enable the Department fully to assess the contract documents for those schemes. The Council now propose to advance the Claregalway and Milltown schemes as a separate bundle. Further progress on the Craughwell scheme must await clarification of the planning dimension and the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012.

Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently examining these assessments, which 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. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year.

Question No. 283 answered with Question No. 279.