Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 320: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has received an application for funding in respect of sewage treatment works at locations (details supplied) in County Cork; if this scheme will process to construction in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16470/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The scope and format of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 is designed to better reflect ongoing environmental and economic priorities, to maximise the return on public funds being invested in the sector and to ensure that the Programme is realistic in its level of ambition. The total value of contracts underway and those proposed for commencement during the period of the programme in County Cork is some €231.6m.

The Innishannon Sewerage Scheme is included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 as a contract to start with an estimated cost of €2 million and will incorporate the upgrading of the Wastewater Treatment Plant at Innishannon. The Ballvourney/Ballymakeera Sewerage Scheme (treatment plant) is also included in the Programme as a scheme to advance through planning. The Ballingeary Sewerage Scheme is not included in the Programme.

The contracts and schemes that were not included in the Programme on this occasion were those which did not feature highly on public health grounds or other environmental compliance requirements (for example, those relating to European Court of Justice proceedings, or those which were required in the context of the River Basin Management Plans, Shellfish Pollution Production Programmes, EPA reports etc) and projects that were proposed simply for capacity expansion and which in the case of water supply can be deferred, in many cases, in favour of accelerated water conservation measures.

The Programme will be reviewed and updated annually to reflect any emerging priority projects. This is intended to deal with investment requirements arising, for example, from the clarification of appropriate treatment for certain agglomerations from the licensing and certification process for waste water discharges being implemented by the EPA, or from the ongoing monitoring of drinking water standards which may highlight risks which need to be addressed.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 321: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will meet with a delegation from Leitrim County Council to hear the implications of the Environmental Protection Agency directive relating to the new code of practice for waste water treatment and disposal systems serving single houses and the implications for persons living in rural Ireland especially County Leitrim. [16516/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I refer to the reply to Question No. 162 of 22 April 2010. The position is unchanged. However, on foot of a request already submitted, I have asked my Department to arrange to meet with a delegation from Leitrim County Council.

Question No. 322 answered with Question No. 318.