The first review of the Irish Republic's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 has been announced.

The €350m investment in 2011 alone, will fund over 100 contracts currently under construction and will see the commencement of over 60 more.

This investment will support over 4,000 jobs in the construction sector per annum and will support many additional jobs in manufacturing and in operating and maintaining new infrastructure post completion.

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, said: “This review of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 has allowed the Department and Water Services Authorities to jointly take stock of progress, ensure that project milestones are being achieved and identify any actions required to increase programme momentum. Investing in water infrastructure supports both environmental objectives and boosts economic activity.”

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He added: “This review indicates that good progress is being made on the implementation of the 2010-2012 programme. My Department has particularly focused on accelerating activity on water conservation. Nearly all authorities now have mains rehabilitation strategies in place. While some delays were experienced in the commencement of some larger projects in 2010, actions have now been taken to ensure that programme momentum is accelerated for the balance of the programme period. It is important that the investment priorities identified in the Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP) 2010-2012 are progressed as quickly as possible.”

39 new contracts with an overall value of almost €87 million will also be added to the programme. These include a series of water conservation projects and contracts to ensure that water supplies and waste water infrastructure comply with drinking water or waste water discharge standards respectively.

The Minister also noted the progressive and considered reforms for the water services sector outlined in the Programme for Government, which would include the establishment of Irish Water and the introduction of a fair funding model to support the future delivery of water services.

(BMcN)