asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what steps, if any, have been recently taken to speed up the long-awaited waterworks scheme in Stradbally, County Laoighis, and if he is in a position to state when it will be commenced, as the town is in a bad way for a water supply.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Supplies in Laoighis.
As I have explained in reply to many previous questions by other Deputies on this matter, so far as my Department is concerned, everything possible has been done to expedite this scheme, the plans for which were approved as far back as January, 1941. The delay which has taken place in proceeding with it has been caused by difficulties in securing the necessary water rights. I am informed that these particular difficulties have now been overcome and that all the necessary rights have recently been acquired.
However, I am not at present in a position to state when it will be possible to start work on the scheme as difficulties are being experienced generally regarding the supply of materials for schemes of this nature, and I am not aware that these difficulties can be overcome by departmental action.
Is the Minister aware that in the town of Stradbally, County Laoighis, there is only one pump to supply the whole town with pure water, and that that pump has been condemned by the county medical officer of health? I think, in the interests of public health, the Department should take some steps to see that the people of that town are supplied with pure water.
It seems to me the public representatives from Laoighis might have taken that matter up long ago.
We have taken it up with the county manager, but no results have been obtained. It is up to the Minister.
It could have been taken up prior to the appointment of the county manager.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that application was made last April to the County Manager for Laoighis for a water supply for Ballylehane Upper where there are over 60 people awaiting the supply, and if he is in a position to state what has been the cause of the delay in attention to this urgent matter.
In August last the Laoighis County Council authorised the raising of a loan to defray expenditure on the provision of wells and pumps at various places in the county health district including Ballylehane. According to the information in my Department there has been no avoidable delay in dealing with these proposals.
Could the Minister say if he has sanctioned this matter for the county council?
Yes. We are not holding it up anyhow.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that there is a general demand for a waterworks for the town of Abbeyleix, County Laoighis, and if in the interests of the health of the town, he will make immediate representations to the county manager to prepare the necessary scheme.
No representations have so far been received in my Department in regard to this matter. As regards the latter part of the question, the provision of an adequate supply is the responsibility of the sanitary authority, and they have their own medical and engineering officers to advise them on this matter. I cannot depute any officer of my Department to make any investigation at this stage.