Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2015

Thursday, 11 June 2015

Ceisteanna (213)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate, having regard to replies to previous parliamentary questions on the issue, the extent to which his Department has examined the submissions from Kildare County Council for approval in respect of the Kilmacreddock and Barrogstown group sewerage scheme; if he is aware of the technical questions raised in this context, and the relevant response from the international engineering consultants asserting the viability of the plan; if he is aware of the environmental benefits of the proposal, as set out; when his Department is likely to give its approval to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22846/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Responsibility for the administration of my Department's Rural Water Programme, under which funding is provided for group schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection, prioritisation and approval of individual group scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is therefore a matter for the local authorities. The provision of information on approval of schemes would, consequently, be a matter for the individual local authorities, Kildare County Council in this case.

However, in 2014, my Department approved a grant to Kildare County Council for a Feasibility Study on the proposed Kilmacreddock/Barrogstown Group Sewerage Scheme. The completed study, which has been submitted to my Department, is being examined and a response will issue to Kildare County Council shortly.