Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which specific targets for construction in the water services investment programme were met; the amount of the €5.8 billion allocated to the scheme that has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36520/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I assume the Question refers to the Water Services Investment Programme 2007- 2009, which outlined 955 schemes worth an estimated €5.8 billion to be advanced over the period of the National Development Plan 2007-2013 and beyond.

The Exchequer spent some €1.17 billion over the period 2007–09 in progressing projects under the Water Services Investment Programme. This expenditure related to both the construction phases on ongoing contracts and the planning costs of future works. Consequently, a direct comparison cannot be drawn between expenditure in the period 2007 - 2009 and the overall value of the projects listed for progression in the Programme.

The objective of the Programme reflected the goals for the Water Services Sector set out in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 and was primarily focused on meeting environmental goals and objectives, while also facilitating economic and development needs. Good progress was made on achieving these objectives over the 3 year period of the Programme. For example, continued progress was made on meeting the targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment under the Directive stood at some 92% compared to 25% at the start of 2000; all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance are included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012. In the period 2007 – 2009, 125 water and wastewater schemes were completed. The increase in wastewater treatment capacity over the period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 650,000; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity was equivalent to the needs of a population of 370,000.

A copy of the Water Services Investment Programme for the period 2010 – 2012, which was published last April 2010, is available in the Oireachtas library.