Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the outstanding waste water treatment works that need to be carried out countrywide; when these works are due to commence and the amount being budgeted for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37415/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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It is a matter for each Water Services Authority to consider what wastewater treatment works need to be undertaken in their areas. Water Services Authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. In preparing these assessments, water services authorities were required to take into consideration key environmental and economic criteria in prioritising contracts and schemes to be progressed in their areas. These assessments were a key input to the development of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, which I published in April 2010 and a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

The Programme sets out the location and estimated cost of water and wastewater contracts envisaged over the period 2010 – 2012, together with further schemes to be advanced through planning stages. The timing of the commencement of contracts within that period is a matter for the Water Services Authorities subject to the need for my Department's approval at key stages in the progression of projects through planning and on to construction. Details on the progression of individual contracts can be obtained from the local authorities involved.

Investment under the Water Services Investment Programme is complemented by investment annually under the Rural Water Programme - a largely devolved programme of investment in relatively smaller water services schemes and the group water sector. The 2010 Estimates provision for water services infrastructure is €508 million, of which €415 million is available under the Water Services Investment Programme and €93 million under the Rural Water Programme.