€5 billion to be spent on water infrastructure

THE development of a new national water and sewage infrastructure will see the Government spend more than €5bn by the end of 2007, Environment Minister Dick Roche said yesterday.

Announcing details of the Water Services Investment Programme in Dublin, Minister Roche said 899 new schemes would be completed within two years, 193 of which are set to begin next year.

Minister Roche also promised less red tape, while local authorities can apply for 90% grants to repair damaged water mains.

Although he admitted the new programme of improvements would be a challenge to complete, Minister Roche said the past few years had already seen significant improvements.

“As well as catching up with existing needs, we have also been able to service unprecedented levels of new housing output year after year. Where water or sewage services were needed to secure new jobs or industry these services have been provided.

“More remarkably, in tandem with all the rapid economic growth, employment generation and development generally, we have managed not just to maintain environmental standards but to actually improve them,” he said.

Under new streamlined approval procedures, local authorities will be able to proceed immediately with water scheme once it has received preliminary sanction from the Minister.

Since up to 291 of the schemes announced yesterday are valued at less than €5m, delays traditionally associated with the construction of such infrastructure should be avoided.