Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied). [4493/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Responsibility for ensuring that an adequate water supply is available to consumers in the Dublin area rests primarily with the local authorities in the Dublin region. All local authorities, including Dublin City Council, were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services in their areas to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently considering 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.

The recent severe weather has pointed up the need to sustain our efforts in the provision of water services infrastructure and, in particular, the replacement and rehabilitation of older mains. A greater focus on such works will be a key priority of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012. Consultants engaged by Dublin City Council are, at present, preparing a Preliminary Report for the longer term water supply needs of the greater Dublin area. One of the options being explored is the possibility of supplying the region with desalinated water. The consultants are due to submit their report to the City Council during this year.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of sewerage schemes for villages (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4539/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Ballylongford, Lixnaw and Tarbert Sewerage Schemes were among a group of over 90 towns and villages for which Kerry County Council has been preparing reports and carrying out studies to optimize the delivery of wastewater infrastructure in the county. These reports and studies were included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. Planning for these schemes has progressed during this period, but additional information relating to each scheme is awaited from Kerry County Council.

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 considering 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.