asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether the plans and estimates for the provision of waterworks schemes for Portarlington (£15,000), Stradbally (£3,600), and sewerage schemes for Portlaoighise (£11,000), Mountmellick (£10,300), and Mountrath (£10,000) have been sanctioned by his Department; whether the area of charge has been fixed in each case, and whether in view of the large number of able-bodied unemployed living in the towns named, together with the recent increase in local rates, he can now state the amount of grant to be made available for each of the schemes mentioned, and when such information has been or will be communicated to the Laoighis County Board of Health.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laoighis Sewerage and Waterworks Schemes.
The inspector's report of the local inquiry recently held into these schemes has been received, and is at present under consideration. The fixation of areas of charge depends on the decisions to be arrived at on consideration of the report. The allocation of a grant towards the cost of these schemes rests with the Minister for Finance.
In view of the fact that some of these schemes have been under examination and consideration by both the Department and the county board of health, in some cases up to 18 months, and also in view of the fact that the Minister for Finance is bound to be influenced by the viewpoint of the Department of Local Government and Public Health, will the Parliamentary Secretary see that some of these recommendations will be forwarded to the Minister for Finance as to the percentage of grants to be made available as soon as the inspector's report has been sanctioned by the Minister?
Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell us what are the borrowing powers of the towns mentioned in the Deputy's question?
I would require notice of that question. In reply to Deputy Davin I wish to say there will be no avoidable delay.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary give an assurance that some of the recommendations will be sent by his Department to the Minister for Finance at the appropriate time?
Certainly.