John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the upgrading of the sewerage system in Enniscorthy, County Wexford ; the reason for the ongoing delay in approving it to go to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27552/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Enniscorthy Sewerage Scheme Phase 3 involved two contracts which were included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013as contracts to start during the life of the programme. Contract 1 provided for the upgrading of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Contract 2 provided for the upgrading and augmentation of the sewerage collection network in Enniscorthy Town and its environs.

Wexford County Council submitted revised contract documents to my Department on 9 December 2013 for Contract 1 (Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade). It was not possible for my Department to finalise an examination of the Council’s submission prior to the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure to Irish Water on 1 January 2014. Wexford County Council had not finalised contract documents for Contract 2 (Network Contract) element of the scheme prior to the 31 December 2013.

Since 1st January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has recently published its Proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 and this is available on the Irish Water website, . The further progression of all water services capital projects is now a matter for Irish Water to consider. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via an email to or by telephone on 1890 278 278.