Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2014
133. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on plans to connect homes in an area (details supplied) to the water mains supply in Riverstick, County Cork, as first proposed in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14470/14]
View answerThe Riverstick Water Supply Scheme was included for funding under the Serviced Land Initiative measure of my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2007- 2009.
In April 2009, my Department, following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative, informed all local authorities that all existing approvals under the initiative, for which contracts had not been signed or letters of intent had issued, were being withdrawn. However, authorities were also advised that where a water services authority was of the opinion that the continuation of an approved scheme for which contracts had not been signed was necessary for the proper development of the area, it was open to the authority to make a case to the Department by the end of May 2009 for the scheme to progress. No such case was made by Cork County Council in relation to the Riverstick Water Supply Scheme and it was not included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013.
From 1st January 2014 Irish Water has responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016. The further progression of all water services capital projects is now a matter for Irish Water. My Department asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with Oireachtas members to outline the arrangements for addressing such queries in a timely manner.
