Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2014
174. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process that the sewerage scheme for Arklow, County Wicklow went through; if such delays will be avoided in the future; if a new application will be lodged under infrastructural legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44491/14]
View answerThe Arklow Sewerage Scheme was included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as a scheme to commence construction within the period of the Programme. This scheme was made up of 3 contracts; 2 network contracts – South Green & Harbour Road, and Northern and Southern interceptors and a separate Wastewater Treatment Plant DBO contract.
Court proceedings relating to planning approval for the proposed wastewater treatment plant site in Arklow, led to delays in getting the wastewater treatment plant contract to construction. However, work continued on other elements of the scheme, most notably the advance of the South Green and Harbour Road network contract which was at construction at the end of December 2013.
Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has published its proposed Capital Investment Plan (CIP) 2014-2016 and this is available online at http://www.water.ie/news/proposed-capital-investment-plan-2014-2016.pdf.
Irish Water has also established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
