Written answers

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Water Services Funding

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sligo County Manager has informed the members of Sligo County Council that the county council is incapable for providing the 15% matching funds required for the Sligo city water mains rehabilitation scheme and that he has requested 100% funding for the scheme from his Department; if he is prepared to provide 100% funding for such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45502/12]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The primary objective of my Department’s National Water Conservation Programme, which was established in 2003, is to reduce water loss and leakage in the distribution networks to an economic level and to address high levels of unaccounted for water. My Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 (WSIP) places a high priority on water conservation. Since 2005 the level of recoupment of approved costs by my Department to water services authorities (local authorities) in respect of water mains rehabilitation or mains replacement projects was increased from 75% to 90% which reflects this high priority.

In February 2012, I gave my approval to Sligo County Council’s proposal to carry out watermains replacement works under the Sligo Water Conservation Stage 3 proposals under my Department’s WSIP. However, in March the Council wrote to my Department setting out the difficulties for the Council in funding its 10% contribution of approximately €467,000 for this scheme.

There is no scope under the current arrangements for my Department to provide 100% funding to Sligo County Council for this scheme.

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