Vol. 513 No. 1
86 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the proposed sewerage treatment schemes in Kilmacow, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown, County Kilkeeny, will proceed in the manner already announced by him and not be the subject of a public-private partnership scheme; and the timescale for the completion of these schemes. [1688/00]
544 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if water and sewerage projects which have been sanctioned will be allowed to proceed without delay in accordance with his announcement; if these projects will be completed with the public and private partnership arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1550/00]
578 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will confirm his commitment to provide funding for a new Thomastown sewerage plant in County Kilkenny where approval for this funding was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1890/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 544 and 578 together.
The Government has indicated its commitment to developing the public-private partnership approach as a major instrument in the future development and provision of infrastructure. In the case of water and sewerage schemes, local authorities are required to assess the suitability of all projects for possible use of design-build or design-build-operate contracts. Local authorities are also encouraged to group smaller projects for procurement purposes to facilitate the PPP option and as a means of reducing design, planning and tendering costs. Decisions on the method of funding and procuring of schemes continue to be made on a case by case basis.
In the case of the Thomastown sewerage scheme, my Department requested Kilkenny County Council to consider the feasibility of grouping the project with other schemes so that possible alternative procurement options could be explored. The council has recently submitted a response to my Department indicating that it favours proceeding with the scheme by the traditional procurement route. This response is at present under examination and my Department will be in touch with the council in the near future. The scheme is included in the water services investment programme to be advanced through planning and its status in the programme is not affected by the current correspondence.
Contract documents for the Graiguenamanagh sewerage scheme, on a traditional procurement contract basis, have been approved, and the scheme will be advanced to construction on that basis.
A revised preliminary report for the Kilmacow sewerage scheme is awaited from the council and consideration will be given to the most appropriate procurement method when this is received.
