Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 7

Adjournment Debate. - Virginia (Cavan) Sewerage Scheme.

Mr. B. Smith

I am very grateful for the opportunity of raising this issue on the Adjournment this evening. I am glad to note that the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Deputy Allen, is here to respond.

There is urgent need to provide a new sewerage scheme in Virginia, County Cavan. The present scheme which is totally inadequate, was provided in 1935 catering for a population in the region of 300 whereas the same scheme now serves a catchment area with a population of 1,500. When installed in the 1930s there were 110 connections to this sewerage scheme. I understand that there are now upwards of 300 connections, including one to a vocational education school with 400 students, hotels and industries.

Further developments are proposed for Virginia, County Cavan, including a nursing unit for the elderly, approved in the lifetime of the previous Government — which will I hope, come into operation before the end of this year — with a 30-bed complement.

In response to a parliamentary question I tabled to the Minister for the Environment on 27 April last, he confirmed that the Virginia sewerage scheme was included in the River Boyne catchment scheme for which an application for Cohesion Fund assistance was submitted to the European Commission by his predecessor in December 1994. The Minister said he expected a decision to be taken on the Cohesion Fund application by early June. I hope he has by now received a positive reply from the European Commission because there is an urgent need to approve the contract documents and to invite tenders so that work can commence on the scheme without delay.

I appealed previously to the Minister to ensure that work commenced on the scheme before the end of this year, which I repeat this evening. There is urgent need to have this scheme approved in view of the widespread development in Virginia since the original sewerage scheme was provided. There is also an urgent need to protect the quality of the water of Lough Ramor.

Put simply, the present sewerage scheme in Virginaia poses serious danger to this nearby, renowned waterway. Our sanitary services urgently needed in Virginia must be of a standard that will not contribute to pollution. I hope the Minister of State will be able to inform me that this scheme is progressing rapidly and that there will be a successful, early outcome to the application for assistance from the Cohesion Fund lodged in 1994.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Mr. Allen)

On behalf of the Minister Deputy Howlin I thank Deputy Smith for raising this matter. I know he attempted to raise it last night also but we were interrupted.

The Minister is aware of the need to extend and improve the sewerage system in Virginia, which discharges to Lough Ramor and ultimately to the wider River Boyne catchment.

As the Deputy knows, considerable progress has been made in recent years with the provision of water and sewerage infrastructure in County Cavan. A water supply scheme has been completed at Belturbet at a cost of just over £2 million, and a sewerage scheme at Bailieboro for over £1 million. Two major water supply schemes are under construction: the Ballyjamesduff regional water supply scheme, costing an estimated £6,652,000, and the Bailieboro regional water supply scheme, at a cost of some £6,302,00.

As regards new schemes, the planning of the Ballyjamesduff sewerage scheme is being progressed; this has been included in an application to the EU Commission for finance under the Cohesion Fund in respect of the Lough Ree catchment protection scheme and the Minister is confident of being able to advance it shortly. The Ballyconnell sewerage scheme, which is estimated to cost just over £1 million, has already been approved for funding under the EU initiative, INTERREG II. Under this programme also, another eight small schemes, including water and sewerage schemes have been approved for funding and these are estimated to cost £660,000. I hope the Deputy will agree that all of this represents a considerable investment for water and sewerage infrastructure in County Cavan.

The proposed sewerage scheme for Virginia has been included in an application to the European Commission for financing under the Cohesion Fund; the overall application is for the River Boyne catchment protection scheme. A decision on this application should also be available shortly.

The existing sewage treatment plant, situated on the northern shore of Lough Ramor, is acknowledged to be inadequate for today's needs. It was installed in the late 1930s to cater for a population of between 200 and 300. The present population is over 1,500 and the plant is now unable to cope.

It is proposed to provide secondary treatment, which will relieve the problem of overloading of the existing sewers and eliminate flooding. The new scheme is being designed to cater for an estimated population of 2,000 people and will include the construction of a new sewage treatment facility, pumping station, rising main, sewer, storm overflow and outfall pipe. Phosphate removal will also be provided to prevent enrichment of Lough Ramor and improve and protect the water quality of the lough. The scheme, which is at contract document stage, can be advanced quickly following a decision by the Commission on the Cohesion Fund application for the River Boyne catchment protection scheme. The Minister is confident that the scheme can progress shortly and that it will bring much needed improvement to the scheme.