Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 564: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4785/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Carrigaholt/Labasheeda sewerage scheme was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009.

In June 2008, my Department approved Clare County Council's Preliminary Reports for the Carrigaholt/Labasheeda scheme, with approved grant funding of €1.547 million. I understand that the Council is advancing the detailed planning of this scheme.

In July 2009, 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 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.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if adequate funding is allocated to local authorities to ensure that the required repairs are carried out to the water system in order that persons will be guaranteed a consistent and safe supply of water to meet their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4788/10]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to ensure that the upgrading of the water system for Dublin city will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4789/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 565 and 566 together.

Substantial funding of €508m is being provided this year from the Exchequer for the provision of water services infrastructure. This level of investment continues to reflect the priority assigned by Government to meeting EU standards for drinking water and providing critical water supply infrastructure, which has seen additional drinking water treatment capacity and additional drinking water storage capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of 855,000 and 1.5 million, respectively, provided in the period 2000 – 2008.

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.