asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if the Loughrea Rural District Council has prepared a new Sewerage Scheme for the town; if such scheme has been submitted to him for approval; if approval has yet been given, and, if not, if he will state what is the reason.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SEWERAGE SCHEME FOR LOUGHREA.
The reply to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third and fourth parts, no approval has yet been given to the carrying out of the scheme. The cost of the works has been estimated by the Rural District Council at £15,497. No objection to the carrying out of the work was raised at the public inquiry held in connection with the Council's application for a loan but immediately after the inquiry the Country Galway Farmers' Association sent forward a copy of a resolution protesting against sanction being given to the loan on the grounds that the scheme was unnecessary at the present time, and that the farmers of the district, who were the principal ratepayers, were not in a position to have extra rates placed upon them owing to the poor condition of their industry.
A sewerage scheme for Loughrea was promoted about 1913. The cost was then estimated at £8,250. The Council were informed that the present cost appeared to be unduly high and compared unfavourably with the estimate for carrying out the scheme of 1913, after making due allowance for the difference in the present cost of materials and labour as compared with those prevailing in 1913. It was suggested to the Council that they should have the costs of the scheme scrutinised by their engineer with a view to effecting all economies possible. The Council have not seen their way to suggest a reduction of cost.
The repayment of a loan of £15,497 for a period of 15 years would entail an addition to the present rates of approximately 6d. in the £ on the ratepayers of the entire rural district.