Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 May 2014
305. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reasons the extension of the water scheme from a village (details supplied) in County Cork to the neighbouring area has not retained its priority status; if he will confirm that funding is in place to complete this link up which was a priority when in charge of Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20246/14]
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under the initiative, for which contracts had not been signed or letters of intent had been issued, were being withdrawn. However, authorities were also advised that where they were 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. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
