I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne. I call Senator Boyhan to elaborate and to properly pronounce that scientific term.
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Water Quality
I can tell the Leas-Chathaoirleach that I have broken it up phonetically for myself as tri-halo-methane. Trihalomethane is the issue before us today. This matter is the result of an engagement with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, with which the Leas-Chathaoirleach will be very familiar, as we all are. I want to put on the record our thanks to that organisation for the amazing work they do in their communities on the management of quality water.
I am very keen to hear from the Minister of State regarding the ongoing engagement between the European Commission and the Department on trihalomethanes and the issues around this. I understand there continues to be ongoing correspondence between the Commission and the Department in respect of Ireland's failure to address trihalomethanes in several public and private water supplies. I also understand that the Commission has indicated to Ireland its intention to escalate this case further, which may result in possible fines for the Government. The National Federation of Group Water Schemes has urged every group water scheme impacted at this stage to engage with their local authorities and to seek best advice and best practice.
It is important that we have a balanced discussion. The key message is that the use of chlorine to ensure safe drinking water is important and necessary. Trihalomethanes are formed as a result of adding chlorine to water, although the chlorine is essential to ensure the quality of our drinking water. Most drinking water in Ireland comes from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes and streams and it has to be treated because there is vegetative matter getting into the water streams. As I said, most drinking water is treated with chlorine, which kills the bacteria and viruses commonly found in drinking water by disinfecting it.
I will use the term THM for trihalomethane. I went on the HSE website today. It states:
THMs can be ingested (swallowed), if present in water.
THMs may be inhaled (breathed in), if present in air, as most THMs in water evaporate.
THMs can be inhaled or absorbed though the skin while showering or bathing.
On the question "How can THMs affect my health?", the HSE website states:
Some studies suggest a link between long term exposure to THMs ... and cancer and reproductive effects but the evidence is not conclusive.
THMs are classified as ‘possibly carcinogenic’ to humans...
There is some evidence that THMs cause cancer in animals.
Some studies suggest that very long-term exposure [to] THMs may be linked to ... increased risk of some types of cancer in humans, in particular bladder and colon cancer. The evidence however, is not conclusive.
On the question "What can I do to reduce my exposure to THMs?" the website deals with that in great detail.
We have three organisations responsible for water, namely, Irish Water, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, which has a serious role in monitoring the quality of water, and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. I do not want to be alarmist but there is an issue in this regard. At the kernel of this is the European Commission, which has raised concerns with the Government and the Department. I would like to hear how that is going and what the Minister of State’s knowledge is of these concerns.
I thank Senator Boyhan for raising the important issue of trihalomethanes, THMs, in our public water supplies, which gives me an opportunity to give an overview of the work being undertaken to improve the quality and resilience of our public and private water supplies.
The programme for Government sets out clear and ambitious commitments to ensure that Irish Water accelerates the resolution of schemes on the remedial action list of the Environmental Protection Authority, EPA, including that the formation of THMs is minimised. We are also continuing to invest in a multi-annual capital funding programme to improve the quality of drinking water in community owned and run rural group water schemes.
For public water supplies, the Senator will appreciate that since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. The maintenance and remedial work necessary in our water system is ongoing and being actively pursued. It is likely that it will take a number of years and investment cycles to fully resolve all the issues and risks and address the pressures of an increasing population and a changing climate. In response, the Government is providing substantial funding to Irish Water to fulfil its role and has committed to an ambitious, multi-annual funding plan. The Government is delivering on the €8.5 billion funding package committed to in Project Ireland 2040.
Irish Water has completed large and complex projects such as a new water treatment plant at Vartry and a full upgrade of the Leixlip water treatment plant. These two projects alone improved water quality and supply resilience for 717,000 people. Irish Water is taking action to remove the risk of elevated levels of THMs forming in all public water supplies. At the end of 2016, there were 71 supplies on the EPA's remedial action list for THMs, impacting 464,791 customers. As of 30 September 2022, there were 24 supplies serving 243,137 people on the remedial action list for THMs.
For private group water schemes, each local authority acts as the supervisory authority for its own functional area under the drinking water regulations and is supervised in this role by the EPA. Each group water scheme is community owned and run. The Department is working directly with local authorities to resolve remaining issues with private group water schemes that have THM issues or risks. The adoption of effective measures to ensure compliance with the directive requires local authority liaison and co-operation with the management and members of these schemes.
I appreciate the Minister of State's detailed and comprehensive reply, which confirms that the European Commission has been raising these issues since 2014 which is a long time ago. It also confirms that there was an issue with approximately 70 water supply zones. Correspondence from the Commission issued to the Government in November 2021 indicates that it believes the drinking water directive has been breached in 30 water supply zones. Would it be possible to publicly identify those 30 water supply zones? It is important for the people who are drinking that water to know that issues relating to it are being contested between the Irish Government and the EU.
The Minister of State has shed some light on the matter and given us some detail, which is very helpful. He has given us facts, which are very important in the context of our water supply, public health and transparency. Clearly, the Government is going to contest the Commission's findings and I ask that the Department keep us informed in that regard. Again, I thank the Minister of State for shedding some light on this matter and sharing some of the facts of this case.
I highlight the fact that solutions typically consist of water treatment plant upgrades, a new connection or water schemes being taken in charge by Irish Water. The works to resolve the water quality issue are being funded under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's multi-annual rural water programme.
For the Senator's information, the EPA publishes its full remedial action list on its website at www.epa.ie. This list provides a comprehensive picture of public water supply compliance and risk on an ongoing basis. The EPA also publishes all of its audit results on its website.
I thank the Minister of State for his response and thank Senator Boyhan for raising the matter. It is a particular pleasure to welcome Toby to the Visitors Gallery. He is on work experience with the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, this week. I wish you a good week. It is good to have you here and you are certainly in a very good university with the Minister of State.
Schools Building Projects
I wish to raise an issue relating to Ballinspittle National School, a small country school in a village just south of Kinsale. According to the most recent census, the population of Ballinspittle has grown by over 10%. It is a unique little part of the world that has so much going for it but there has been an issue with schools in the area for at least a decade. The majority of the schools in the locality, taking in Kinsale, Ballinspittle, Rennies, Minane Bridge, Belgooly and Dunderrow, have been upgraded but there are two schools in the district that have not been upgraded. One is Summercove National School and the other is Ballinspittle National School.
I seek clarity on the next phase for Ballinspittle National School. A substantial project went to tender during the summer comprising a brand new second floor, a library, offices, a general purpose building, a special education room, an administration room and a store room. The tender closed at the start of August and the question now relates to the next phase. I want to get clarity on how this project will be progressed. What is the timeline in terms of when we will see shovels in the ground? This development will have a hugely positive impact on the community. I accept that this is a complicated building project that will probably take place over two phases. It may be necessary to knock half of the school and then build the other half. Clarity on how this project will proceed is very important.
There has been significant development in the area in recent years. There are eight mainstream classes in Ballinspittle National School. There are four special resource teachers, two SNAs and over 200 pupils attending the school, which is a significant size in that part of the world. The newly appointed principal, Ms Sheila Wall, is doing a fantastic job.
I seek clarity on the next phases of the project. Tenders have been received. Have they been opened? Is there an approved tenderer and what is the timeline for this new school to be built?
I thank Senator Lombard for raising this important matter regarding a statement on the progress of the new extension for Ballinspittle National School and an outline of the timelines for each project stage. The major building project for the school is included in the Department’s construction programme, which is being delivered under the national development plan. The brief provides for the demolition of the existing buildings to provide accommodation for a new 12-classroom school, with three classrooms for pupils with special educational needs on the current site.
This project entered architectural planning upon the appointment of the design team in July 2018. Stage 1, preliminary design, was approved in July 2019, and the project then progressed to stage 2(a), developed design, where the design team developed the agreed design option and accurately cost planned the project so that it could be lodged for statutory approvals, including planning permission.
Stage 2(a), developed design, was approved by the Department in August 2021, and the board of management and its design team were subsequently authorised to commence stage 2(b), detailed design. Stage 2(b) included the applications for planning permission, fire safety certification, disability access certification and the preparation of tender documents. Planning permission was secured for this project in April 2022.
The stage 2(b) submission was received by the Department in late August 2022. Following the Department’s review of this submission, an initial stage 2(b) approval letter was issued to the board of management last week. This included Department stage 2(b) comments for a design team review and a request for confirmation from the design team that, upon completion of this review, they are satisfied their tender documents are complete, correct and in compliance with Department technical guidance documents, building control regulations and public works tender-documentation requirements.
The design team was authorised to carry out the pre-qualification of building contractors in June 2022, in parallel with the completion of stage 2(b). The design team recently provided the Department with a draft pre-qualification report, which is currently under review. Upon receipt of the design team stage 2(b), confirmations and completion of pre-qualification process, the Department will contact the board of management regarding the progress of this project to tender stage.
The tender stage normally takes between six to eight months to complete and thereafter, subject to no unforeseen circumstances, the project will then progress to stage 4, construction. Currently, the design team estimates a construction period of 20 months.
Can the Minister provide me with a copy of the report? It is important to get clarity on the construction phase. The period of 20 months is a similar period of time. I am aware the proposal is to knock half of the existing school and to build a new structure, and then to knock the other half and build the other structure.
I refer to the 20-month building timeframe. When will we get to a point by which the appropriate tenders are done so that we can get to the next phase and have a definitive timeline of when the building will be opened? I stress the need for this development as the population is growing. It is a positive school, both socially and for the community. Can we get clarification on when the new school will be opened?
I again thank the Senator for raising the important issue of Ballinspittle National School's new project. I hear the Senator's concerns about the population growing, how there is a real need for this school in a strong community that is very positive towards it, and about the delivery of this new important project.
From the information provided to me, I understand the project is at the end of the design team stage 2(b), confirmations and completion of pre-qualification process. As soon as that is complete, which I believe will be soon, it will then move to tender stage which takes between six to eight months, with typically 20 months thereafter for the construction period, although that can change depending on the complexity of the construction.
That is all the information I have to hand. If I can get further information, I will endeavour to provide it to the Senator.