Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will allocate funds to rectify the issues affecting water treatment plants (details supplied) in County Mayo. [26489/10]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason there is a delay in implementing recommendations from consultants (details supplied) regarding the replacement of filters at water treatment plants. [26490/10]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the filters in water treatment plants (details supplied) in County Mayo have degraded to the extent that both schemes are now on a boil notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26492/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 403 to 405, inclusive, together.

Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The advancement of individual group schemes under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant funding provided, is, therefore, a matter for the local authorities. In the case of group water schemes a grant of 100% of the cost of essential treatment and disinfection facilities is available for schemes participating in bundled Design Build Operate contracts. Other necessary works like buildings, reservoirs, pipelines associated with the contract are grant aided at up to 85% of cost, subject to a maximum grant of €6,475.66 per house.

The treatment plants referred to in the question are part of a bundled Design Build Operate contract in County Mayo which encompasses a number of group water schemes. As with other bundled Design Build Operate contracts, the relevant local authority, in this case Mayo County Council, acts as the contracting authority for the Design Build component. In light of issues arising on the functioning of the two water treatment plants, Mayo County Council submitted a proposal to my Department earlier this month for the replacement of the filter membranes in the plants. The proposed approach is without prejudice to the determination of the issue of where liability lies in respect of failure of existing membranes, which is a matter to be resolved between the contracting parties. In light of the need to resolve the issues arising for drinking water quality in the area, my Department approved funding for the Council's proposal last week.