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Wastewater Treatment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Questions (674, 693)

Seán Haughey

Question:

674. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if Irish Water has been in contact with his Department regarding funding for a regional wastewater treatment plant at Clonshaugh, Dublin 17; if so, the level of funding being sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43192/18]

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Darragh O'Brien

Question:

693. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the development of a regional sewage treatment plant at Clonshaugh, County Dublin proposed with regard to the greater Dublin drainage project on behalf of his Department; the stage the development is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43669/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 674 and 693 together.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. Irish Water’s primary function is to provide clean safe drinking water to customers and to treat and return wastewater safely to the environment. Irish Water takes a strategic, nationwide approach to asset planning and investment, and meeting customer requirements.

The first ever Water Services Policy Statement, prepared in line with the Water Services Acts, which was launched on 21 May 2018, outlines a clear direction for strategic planning and decision making on water and wastewater services in Ireland, identifying key policy objectives and priorities for the period to 2025. The Statement sets out a series of high-level policy objectives across the three thematic areas of Quality, Conservation and Future Proofing, which must be pursued when planning capital investment and framing current spending plans. It will provide the context within which necessary funding and investment plans by Irish Water will be framed and agreed.

On foot of publication of the Water Services Policy Statement, Irish Water prepared a ‘Strategic Funding Plan’ setting out proposed operational and capital expenditure. Subject to its approval by me as Minister, the Irish Water Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024 will ultimately feed into annual Exchequer decisions on spending and will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Based on this Strategic Funding Plan, Irish Water’s next Capital Investment Plan for the five year period from 2020 to 2024 will set out the financial plan for capital investments to support Irish Water’s strategic objectives to deliver improvements to water services.

I, as Minister, in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, must provide consent for all commitments for capital expenditure above €20m.

Irish Water is regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) as the independent economic regulator. The CRU is responsible for setting the total level of revenue which Irish Water can receive, through Government subvention and from customers, to cover its efficiently incurred costs. This CRU process involves, inter alia, reviewing submissions from Irish Water, including on its investment plan, and thereafter setting appropriate revenue allowances for operating costs, capital costs and other items for given regulatory periods. Consequently, the actual allowed operational expenditure and capital investment is decided by the CRU.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.

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