Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the statement in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2012 that a number of contracts and schemes in the programme address the requirement for capacity increases particularly in gateways and hubs and other developing areas; if these contracts have been reviewed in view of the current slowdown in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22227/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 aims to prioritise contracts and schemes that target environmental compliance issues and support economic and employment growth as envisaged in the Government's policy document Building Ireland's Smart Economy – A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal. The preparation of the programme involved a complete review of all schemes which had not substantially progressed to ensure that they remained priorities in the light of these programme objectives.

In line with this strategic approach, the development of the Programme took into account the 2008 Forfas Report – Assessment of Water and Wastewater Services for Enterprise, which had recommended prioritisation of investment for key centres likely to require additional water and wastewater treatment capacity in the coming years. The Programme also took into account the need to support economic development of Gateways and Hubs, including developing areas in those locations, in accordance with the National Spatial Strategy. It is important that work progresses on these contracts and schemes to maximise the development potential of the areas involved when the economy recovers.

Projects were not included in the Programme if they were proposed simply for capacity expansion which was unrelated to the National Spatial Strategy/developing areas priorities, and which in the case of water supply could be deferred, in many cases, in favour of accelerated water conservation measures. In both the development of the Programme, and in the further detailed appraisal of schemes to progress through planning, the impact of future population and capacity projections to be incorporated into the updated Regional Planning Guidelines is also taken into account. The impact of the slowdown in construction has increased the potential for greater value for money in a more competitive tendering environment.