Details of all major sewerage schemes included for funding by my Department are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Additional information in relation to progress on individual contracts under this Programme may be obtained from the relevant local authority.
Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for both water and sewerage services to my Department by the end of this week. These assessments will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme, which it is anticipated will be published in early 2010. In conducting their assessments, local authorities have been asked to prioritise schemes and contracts, including water conservation projects, for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria.
Local authorities have also been asked to take cognisance of parallel work on finalising the River Basin Management Plans when conducting their assessments. These plans will set out how it is proposed to manage the rivers, lakes, groundwaters and coastal waters covered by the Plan to ensure their protection. The plans, currently being finalised by the relevant local authorities, will contain a programme of measures to address the water quality issues in the area, including the identification of any necessary waste water infrastructure.