537 Mr. T. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in County Wexford since 1997 to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13824/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €121.92 million to County Wexford under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the table below. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Council. Full details of currently approved major schemes in County Wexford, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Wexford County Council will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

538 Mr. Wilkinson asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in County Waterford since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13825/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €70.29 million to Waterford County Council and €40.19 million to Waterford City Council under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Council. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Waterford County and City, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Waterford County and City Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

539 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in County Tipperary since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13826/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €57.98 million to North Tipperary County Council and €89.14 million to South Tipperary County Council under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Councils. Full details of currently approved major schemes in County Tipperary, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of North Tipperary and South Tipperary County Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

540 Mr. Callanan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in Galway City and County since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13827/07]

547 Mr. Callanan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in County Galway since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13834/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 547 together.

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €103.61 million and €195.23 million to Galway City and Galway County Councils respectively under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Council. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Galway City and County, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Galway City and County Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

541 Dr. Devins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in County Sligo since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13828/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €92.89 million to County Sligo under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Council. Full details of currently approved major schemes in County Sligo, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Sligo County Council will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

542 Mr. Finneran asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13829/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €78.15 million to County Roscommon and €53.99 million to County Leitrim under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Councils. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Roscommon and Leitrim County Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

543 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13830/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €27.87 million to County Kilkenny and €31.78 million to County Carlow under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Councils. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Counties Kilkenny and Carlow, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Kilkenny and Carlow County Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

544 Mr. Moloney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in Counties Laois and Offaly since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13831/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €42.82 million to County Laois and €58.41 million to County Offaly under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Councils. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Counties Laois and Offaly, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Laois and Offaly County Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

545 Mr. Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in Cork City and County since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13832/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €324.76 million to Cork City Council and €67.64 million to Cork County Council under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Council. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Cork City and County, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Cork City and County Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

546 Mr. P. Power asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in Counties Limerick and Clare since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13833/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €295.26 million, €71.14 million and €100.43 million, respectively, to Limerick City and County Councils and Clare County Council under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Councils. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Limerick City and County and in County Clare, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Limerick City and County Councils and Clare County Council will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

548 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in Counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13835/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €175.72 million, €107.63 million and €68.38 million respectively to Counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Councils. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Louth, Cavan and Monaghan County Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

549 Mr. Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in Counties Longford and Westmeath since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13836/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €22.92 million to County Longford and €62.01 million to Westmeath County Council under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Councils. Full details of currently approved major schemes in Counties Longford and Westmeath, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Longford and Westmeath County Councils will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.

550 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the water schemes completed and in planning in County Kildare since 1997, to date in 2007; and the investment made, and future allocation. [13837/07]

The Government has committed substantially increased funding for water services infrastructure over the past decade and again in the new National Development Plan (NDP). Some €3.7 billion was invested in new and upgraded water services infrastructure under NDP 2000-2006. €4.7 billion, an increase of 27%, has been provided under NDP 2007-2013. Real improvements being achieved on foot of this ongoing investment include:

Rapid progress in meeting targets under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Compliance with the end 2005 deadline for the provision of secondary treatment, which stood at 25% in 2000 had risen to some 90% at the end of 2006, with all remaining schemes needed to ensure full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme.

The extensive programme of wastewater treatment works has reduced the pollutant load from municipal discharges to rivers, lakes and sea (measured as Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 45,000 tonnes per annum in a period of unprecedented economic and population growth.

Wastewater treatment capacity was increased since 1997 by an equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.3 million; the increase in drinking water treatment capacity over the same period was equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

By the end of December 2006 of some 85,000 sites had been provided under the Serviced Land Initiative, with a further 100,000 sites at construction stage.

Massive investment under the Rural Water Programme has resulted in great progress in upgraded and renewed rural water supply systems and improved water quality in private group water schemes.

Overall, my Department is committing sufficient resources to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water infrastructure will be able to fully meet current and anticipated demand in the future.

My Department provided a total of €171.10 million to Kildare County Council under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 1997 to 2006. Major schemes completed during that period are set out in the following table. In addition, many more schemes, smaller in scale, were completed under the devolved Rural Water Programme, of which details may be obtained from the County Council. Full details of currently approved major schemes in County Kildare, including the value of the investment proposed in each case, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

New Assessments of Needs were undertaken last year in response to the Department's request to all local authorities to review the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priorities adopted by the members of Kildare County Council will be taken into account in the framing of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.