Bernard Allen
Question:462 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will make a statement on moves by local authorities to privatise support services for water and sewerage services. [8585/02]
Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Local authorities are encouraged, where appropriate, to examine the options for public private partnerships for the design, construction, operation and, in limited circumstances, the financing, of certain water and wastewater services. Ultimate statutory responsibility for the provision of the services concerned and the ownership of the assets remain with the local authority.
The framework for public private partnerships under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, as agreed with the social partners, sets out the principles under which the PPP programmes are to be advanced. These principles include ensuring that the choice and implementation of PPP projects provides speedy, efficient and cost effective delivery of projects, within the context of quality public services. In the case of the Water Services Investment Programme, local authorities are required to examine all options, including PPP, when considering the most advantageous route for procuring individual projects.