Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
205. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount that has been spent as of 31 December 2021 to date on the eastern and midlands water supply project from the time of its inception (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15652/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region is a strategic national project to help meet the future water supply needs for housing, commercial and industrial growth in an area comprising 40 per cent of Ireland's population. The preferred scheme for the project involves an abstraction of water from the lower River Shannon at Parteen Basin in Co. Tipperary, with water treatment nearby at Birdhill. Treated water will then be piped 170km to a termination point reservoir at Peamount in County Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area.
The project will also facilitate options to reinforce supplies of treated water to communities such as Newport, Borrisokane, Cloughjordan, Mullingar, Carlow, Portlaoise, Navan and Drogheda in the future. This will ensure that the long-term (2050 and beyond) water supply requirements of the region are met in a sustainable manner.
The project is at the Preliminary Business Case (PBC) Stage of the Public Spending Code, which aims to develop further the strategic case for the project, consider in more detail the range of options available and decide whether there is a case for proceeding with the proposal. The PBC incorporates detailed options appraisal and when finalised will also incorporate assessments of risk along with the proposed approach to implementation of the proposal.
As part of the development of the PBC including detailed design options and appraisal, public consultation and other assessments, I and my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required under the Water Services Act 2013, have given consent for Irish Water to spend up to €59.72m on the Water Supply Project - Eastern and Midlands Region.
In addition to their role as economic regulator of Irish Water, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will carry out an external assurance process of the Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region PBC and issue guidance to my Department.
Under the Public Spending Code major projects such as the Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region must have their PBC approved by Government in order to proceed. I understand that Irish Water intend to seek Government approval for the PBC following the completion of the CRU external assurance process in late 2023/early 2024.
