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Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 May 2008

Thursday, 22 May 2008

Ceisteanna (259)

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

259 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress on the seven-village sewerage scheme in County Waterford with particular attention to the Cappoquin sewerage scheme; the reason its progress is being delayed due to the proposed introduction of a new tender procedure that a Department working group is putting together and is not expected to have finalised for the next few months. [20287/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Waterford Grouped Towns and Villages Sewerage Scheme is approved for construction under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009. I understand that the upgrading of the wastewater collection system in Kilmacthomas is underway and that the works to improve Tallow's collection system have already been completed. I also understand that the Council is finalising contract documents for the wastewater treatment plants for the seven locations covered by the scheme.

In October 2006, the Department of Finance, which is responsible for public procurement rules, issued instructions requiring all traditional public works projects to use new forms of construction contracts from February 2007 onwards. The new forms of contract were introduced to achieve greater cost certainty, better value for money and more timely and efficient delivery of publicly funded projects. However, contracting authorities were given the option of either switching over to the new forms of contract or completing any contract documents on which detailed drafting was already underway. I understand that Waterford County Council elected to complete the contract documents they were working on for five of the collection systems, including Cappoquin.

This interim arrangement has been brought to a conclusion by the Department of Finance. All public works contracts must now be awarded using the new forms of contract. Waterford County Council has been informed accordingly. The contract documents for the treatment plants, which are being procured under a Public Private Partnership arrangement, are not affected.

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