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River Basin Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 January 2011

Wednesday, 12 January 2011

Ceisteanna (704)

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

756 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding available in 2011 for the programmes of measures proposed in adopted river basin district plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48107/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In July of 2010 I approved river basin management plans for Ireland's seven river basin districts. The plans set out the current status of our waters, the environmental objectives to be achieved and the programmes of measures to be implemented in order to achieve those objectives.

The programmes of measures outlined in the river basin management plans cover the sectors and activities which impact on the status of our waters, including municipal waste water discharges and agriculture. Responsibility for implementing the measures rests with the local authorities, various Government Departments and Agencies, and other sectors such as agriculture and industry. In so far as my Department is concerned, continued investment in the development of water services through the Water Services Investment Programme remains a priority. The Programme for 2010 to 2012 is, for the first time, set out on a river basin basis and is fully aligned with the investment priorities identified in the river basin management plans. Exchequer funding for water services in 2011 amounts to €435 million. New work in 2011 will be targeted, inter alia , on key projects in the programme required to implement measures identified in the river basin management plans such as the upgrading of wastewater treatment infrastructure.

The local authorities play a key role in coordinating effort in pursuit of the plans' objectives and I have provided funding of €687,000 for the continued support of the river basin district offices this year.

My Department has, since 2007, provided significant additional funding to the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out the extensive monitoring programmes required for implementation of the Water Framework Directive and which will be an ongoing requirement for implementation of the river basin management plans. In 2010 this funding amounted to €4 million, a decision on funding for 2011 will be made shortly.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will continue to fund the Agricultural Catchments Programme costing €8 million over the four years 2008 to 2011.

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