Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Questions (442)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

442. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the provision of a sewerage scheme for Belmullet, County Mayo; if he will prioritise the funding of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6583/13]

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Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

My Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 201 3, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, includes a contract for wastewater treatment plants and associated networks for the Belmullet, Foxford and Charlestown Sewerage Scheme to advance to construction during the period of the Programme at an estimated cost of €14.3 million.

The Environmental Protection Agency granted a discharge licence for Belmullet on the 20 December 2012 and this will allow my Department to finalise its examination of Mayo County Council’s application for a foreshore licence in respect of the outfall for the wastewater treatment plant.

A decision on Mayo County Council’s design brief for the appointment of consultants to advance the procurement of the three wastewater treatment plants and associated works under a single Design Build Operate (DBO) will be made by my Department as soon as possible. This decision will also assist the Council to determine the scale and scope of the works to be carried out on the collection systems at the three locations, and whether to incorporate those works into the DBO contract or to procure them under separate contracts.