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Wastewater Treatment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2021

Thursday, 17 June 2021

Questions (286)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

286. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Ministerial consent regarding the wastewater treatment plant in Arklow County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32568/21]

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Written answers

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. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for determination by Irish Water.

As part of Budget 2021, funding of over €1.4 billion was secured to support water services. This includes €1.3 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area.

Under the Water Services Act 2013, Irish Water is required to seek the consent of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage - given with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform - to enter into capital commitments. Irish Water must seek Ministerial consent prior to entering into any individual capital commitment of a value in excess of €20m. This is a financial control and not a project consent.

In the context of the updated Public Spending Code for evaluating, planning and managing the public investment in the project as it proceeds through its lifecycle, consideration is also being given to the appropriate application of the Code having regard to the current lifecycle stage of the project. In this regard, the Final Business Case under the Public Spending Code as submitted by Irish Water on 28 May 2021, together with a NewERA report received on 14 June 2021, are currently under active consideration. Given the significant investment by the taxpayer, this does involve close scrutiny by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Irish Water expects construction work to begin in the second half of 2021.

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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