Vol. 557 No. 4
457 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the way in which the Government proposes to fund the EU treated water supply programme for 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22303/02]
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 provides for a total capital investment of over €4.4 billion in water and sewerage services, of which over €2 billion will be spent on developing and upgrading public water supply schemes and group schemes. Spending on water services is being increased threefold under the current NDP by comparison to the 1994-1999 period. This investment is being funded by the Exchequer with support from the European Union and, where appropriate, capital contributions by the non-domestic sector in accordance with the water pricing policy established by my Department. Details of currently approved schemes are set out in my Department's water services investment programme 2002-2004, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.
