437 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 349 of 26 May 2009, the position regarding an application by Wexford County Council for funding in respect of a strategic land initiative in Taghmon, Piercestown and Castlebridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10411/10]

My Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 included Wexford County Council's proposals to progress Serviced Land Initiative schemes in Taghmon, Piercestown and Castlebridge.

In April 2009, following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative in light of developments in the economy at large, and in the housing market in particular during 2008, and having regard to the oversupply of housing in some areas, my Department informed all local authorities that the Initiative was being discontinued. All existing scheme approvals under the Initiative, for which contracts had not been signed or letters of intent had not issued, were withdrawn. Local authorities were however also informed that where they were of the opinion that the continuation of a scheme was necessary for the proper development of an area, it was open to them to make a case to the Department for the scheme to progress. Wexford County Council has in response resubmitted the schemes in question. My Department has assessed the responses received and the decisions on the schemes to progress will be conveyed to the relevant local authorities in light of the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme for the period 2010 to 2012, which I expect to publish shortly.