348 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the long delays in the waste water treatment plants for Skibbereen, Dunmanway, Baltimore and Schull in west Cork; if he will confirm that new contracts can proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41481/10]

The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Cork. The West Cork Grouped DBO Scheme, which involves the construction of new wastewater treatment plants at Skibbereen, Dunmanway, Baltimore and Schull, is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010-2012.

My Department has received a report on tenders for this contract from Cork County Council, but is awaiting the submission by the Council of certain information relating to the funding of the scheme, before the examination of the report on tenders can be completed.