Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the sewerage and water priority list will be issued in respect of County Westmeath. [10277/10]

Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the Coosan rectification scheme, County Westmeath.. [10278/10]

Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the Kilbeggan sewerage scheme, County Westmeath; and when this scheme will commence. [10279/10]

Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the progress of a sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [10414/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 to 424, inclusive, and 438 together.

My Department approved Westmeath County Council's proposal to carry out advance works on the rehabilitation of the Coosan water supply network last January as part of their Water Conservation Programme. The Kilbeggan and Rathowen Sewerage Schemes were included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009 as schemes to advance through planning. In the case of Kilbeggan, my Department approved Westmeath County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme in May 2008, subject to some modifications. In the case of Rathowen, my Department outlined proposals to the Council in September 2008 in relation to the funding of the scheme.

In both cases, the progression of the schemes to the next stages lies with the 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 finalising its consideration of 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 shortly.