Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the Lough Mask regional water supply scheme, Shrah to Westport extension and the extension from Westport to Louisburgh, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28371/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I recently published the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, which provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure to be undertaken in County Mayo. The total value of contracts underway and those proposed for commencement during the period of the Programme in County Mayo is some €71 million. The Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme – Water Treatment Plant Upgrade is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010 to 2012.

With the changed economic climate and the finalisation of the first cycle of River Basin Management Plans, the new Programme aims to prioritise projects that target environmental compliance issues. It also fully supports economic and employment growth as envisaged in the Government's policy document Building Ireland's Smart Economy – A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal. The scope and format of the Programme for 2010 to 2012 is designed better to 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.

In developing the Programme, a review was undertaken of all contracts and schemes listed in the previous Programme on which there had been little progress over the past 2 years, to ensure that those proceeding were aligned with current priorities. In this context, while the upgrade of the Lough Mask Water Treatment Plant is considered to reflect Programme priorities, Mayo County Council's proposals for extensions to the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme had to give way to others that are more strategically important at this time. The Council now proposes to upgrade the water treatment plants at Westport and Louisburgh under the Rural Water Programme.

Mayo County Council's revised Procurement Strategy and Fee Proposal for the Upgrade of the Water Treatment Plant, received in March 2010, are being examined in my Department and a decision on those documents will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the Belmullet sewerage works, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28373/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The combined Belmullet, Foxford and Charlestown Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 as a contract to start in that period.

Mayo County Council's contract documents for the Belmullet element of the scheme have been submitted to my Department, but these can not be considered for approval until additional necessary information, particularly the Certificate of Completion of Planning, is submitted by the Council.