Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will give details of his spending proposals on group sewerage schemes on an annual basis to end of 2012 on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22635/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for expenditure through the various local authorities in respect of group water schemes in each of the next three years on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22636/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his spending proposals in respect of water and sewerage schemes over the next three years on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22637/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 217, inclusive, together.

The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure over the next three years. This Programme is presented on a river basin district basis and lists the contracts to commence construction or advance through planning in respect of the water services authorities in the relevant district over the period 2010 to 2012. In addition details of the contracts and schemes in the Programme, on a county basis, are available on the Department's website.

Allocations under the Rural Water Programme are made on an annual basis, and County Councils were notified of their block grant allocations under the 2010 Rural Water Programme last month. A list showing the overall allocations to each Council is available in the Oireachtas Library. These block grant allocations cover both funding for group water and sewerage schemes and small public water and sewerage schemes. The major part of the funding for the group sector is directed at investment required under the Rural Water Action Plan developed in response to an adverse ruling against Ireland by the European Court of Justice.

Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme has been devolved to water services authorities since 1997. The selection and approval of individual group water and sewerage schemes for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocation provided, is therefore a matter for the water services authorities. Allocations under the programme for 2011 and 2012 will be decided on the basis of the relevant submissions to be made by water services authorities at the time and taking into consideration the funding that will then be available.