Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
158. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a percentage of the funding being made available for the development of water treatment facilities in Castlerea, County Roscommon, is being set aside for the arts (details supplied); if so, the process for disbursing any such funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22118/14]
View answerThe West Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme was included as a Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Contract at Granlahan to commence under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. Under a review of the Programme, carried out in 2011, my Department approved the inclusion in the Programme, in respect of the West Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme of an advance networks upgrade contract – the Castlerea Urban and Regional Water Supply Improvement Works.
In April 2013 my Department approved the Supplementary Design Review Report for the West Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme, which included advance works to address water quality issues on the Castlerea Urban and Regional Water Supply Scheme, at a cost of €8.3 million. In mid-November 2013 a request was received in my Department from Roscommon County Council seeking approval of funding of almost €1.6 million for a Watermain Network Contract to interconnect the pipework on the Castlerea Urban & Regional Water Supply Scheme. However, it was not possible for my Department to finalise its examination of the Council's submission prior to the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure to Irish Water on 1 January 2014. Roscommon County Council has not submitted any proposals to my Department in relation to the Per Cent for Art for the Castlerea Urban & Regional Water Supply Scheme.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has recently published its Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016. The further progression of all water services capital projects is now a matter for Irish Water to consider. 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 an email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
