In response to my Department's request to local authorities to undertake a fresh assessment of the needs for capital works in their areas, and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of this assessment, Sligo County Council placed the Ballygawley sewerage scheme ninth on their list of priorities.
The priority lists were taken into account in the framing of the Water Services Investment Programme 2000-2002 announced in July 2000. Given the priority afforded to the scheme by the council, the level of competing demand and the funding available, it was not possible to include the Ballygawley scheme in the programme.
It is open to the council to consider advancing the scheme under the devolved rural water programme.
Question No. 113 withdrawn.