Bernard Allen
Question:310 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. [17703/02]
Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Major and complex new water services facilities are increasingly being procured by local authorities on a design build operate basis. This approach is supported by my Department, is delivering good value for money, and is consistent with PPF provisions about the contribution of public private partnerships to public infrastructure and service delivery.
This approach involves ownership of water services infrastructure still remaining fully with local authorities who also retain responsibility for the quality of discharge standards and for the good management of performance contracts.
My Department has provided comprehensive guidance to local authorities on, inter alia, PPP viability and risk assessment, as well as on a Performance Management System – PMS – to assist authorities to direct and monitor the operations of private service providers under contract to them.
The PPP approach has been adopted by my Department to ensure the most efficient implementation of the planned €4.4 billion capital investment in water services under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, and to deliver best value for money. The current phase of the water services investment programme, covering the period 2002-04, contains 605 individual schemes. Utilisation of PPPs, where appropriate, will ensure that these schemes will be delivered in the most cost effective manner and in accordance with programme timetables and statutory requirements. It will also facilitate greater focus of local authority resources on strategic planning, overall management of infrastructure and long-term protection of capital investment.
Question No. 311 answered with Question No. 18.