Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
321 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will state the position regarding Bantry sewage works programme, County Cork; the expected timetable for the works to be completed; the expected cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33178/12]
View answerThe Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Cork. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €230 million in the county during the period of the Programme.
The Water Services Investment Programme currently includes two projects in the ‘Contracts to Start' category of the Programme under Bantry Sewerage Scheme. Both of these are now completed resulting in the construction of a new waste water treatment plant in Bantry, the upgrading of the existing waste water pumping station and the provision of waste water transfer pipework between the town and the new waste water treatment plant. The infrastructure installed under these contracts is fully operational since early 2011.
Bantry Sewerage Scheme is also included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013 in the ‘Schemes at Planning' category of the Programme. This Scheme will provide for the upgrading of the sewage collection system in Bantry town and the elimination of various separate waste water discharges to existing storm water culverts, which are unconnected to the town's existing waste water collection network. The Design Brief for the appointment of Consultants to prepare the Preliminary Report for this element of the scheme was recently submitted by Cork County Council to my Department and this will be assessed as soon as possible. The Preliminary Report, when completed, will make recommendations on the necessary upgrading of the sewage collection network, will outline the costs involved and will also provide the time scale for the delivery of the additional works.
