Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
316
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the extent to which targets have been achieved in respect of the programme for the provision of sewerage schemes, as anticipated in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29793/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
317
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the extent to which objectives set out in the national plan in respect of the augmentation of water supply at various locations have been achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29794/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
320
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the extent to which water and sewerage infrastructure are being implemented to facilitate housing developments needed to alleviate the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29797/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 316, 317 and 320 together.
The national development plan provides for expenditure of almost £3 billion over the period 2000-2006 on water and sewerage services, divided into £1.3 billion in respect of water supplies, including the rural water programme, and £1.7 billion for sewerage schemes. This is approximately three times the size of the expenditure for these services by comparison to the 1994-99 period.
Earlier this year, I announced the first phase of a rolling three-year water services investment programme to cover the period 2000-02, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library. The programme contains details of 529 schemes which are at various stages of planning or construction. The schemes contained in the programme are drawn mainly from the results of the assessments of water services infrastructure needs completed by local authorities in 1999.
Significant progress is being made in the advancement of water and sewerage services projects. This year will see the substantial completion of 23 major projects including Drogheda, Dundalk and Leixlip sewerage schemes. In addition 20 major water and sewerage schemes have commenced this year such as the North Fringe Sewer, part of the Dublin Bay project, Lisdoonvarna sewerage, the Limerick treatment works and Westport sewerage scheme. Among the significant schemes approved to enter planning are Ennis-Clarecastle sewerage, Ballymore Eustace water treatment plant, Lough Mourne-Letterkenny water supply, Enniscorthy and New Ross main drainage, Carrickmacross sewerage and Skibbereen sewerage.
An important focus of water and sewerage investment is to facilitate new housing development in locations such as Cork, Galway, Waterford, Limerick, Dundalk, Drogheda, Navan and Athlone. The £2.1 billion Water and Sewerage Services Investment Programme for 2000-2002 also provides for the construction of a number of key housing related schemes in Dublin identified in action on housing, viz. Leixlip to Ballycoolin rising main, £10 million; Ballycoolin storage reservoir, £10 million; Swords north water main, £5 million; Balbriggan-Jordanstown storage, £10 million; north fringe water main, £12 million.
Sewerage schemes that will have a specific impact on increasing the supply of housing have been approved for Patrickswell and Adare in Limerick, Oughterard and Headford in Galway and also in Tullamore and Mullingar. New water supply schemes supporting housing development have been approved for Kilkenny and Wicklow and an analysis of future water supply options for Kildare will also be undertaken to provide for future development in the area.
Progress has also been made with the serviced land initiative, which is a component of the Government's strategy for boosting housing supply to meet the unprecedented demand created by our economic success. By the end of 2001 schemes producing some 129,000 sites will have been completed or will be at various stages of construction. Other schemes are being looked at currently and I hope to announce a further package of funding under the SLI shortly. Once schemes have commenced the associated housing can usually be built in parallel. The positive results of the investment in water and sewerage services over recent years in terms of housing is evident by the extent of serviced housing land currently available both in Dublin and in other key areas around the country.
Overall, the expected out turn in expenditure on water and sewerage services in 2000 is £335 million, an increase of 16% on 1999 expenditure, which in turn represented an increase of 50% over the 1998 figure. This level of expenditure will continue to underpin continued sustainable social and economic development and is evidence of the progress being achieved in implementing the NDP objectives for the water services sector.
Question No. 318 taken with No. 312.
