asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the water supply in the town of Caherciveen is inadequate during dry periods; that preliminary proposals for the improvement of the water supply have been submitted to his Department; if he will state if these proposals have been approved of; and if not, if any improvements are contemplated by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Caherciveen Water Supply.
Outline proposals for the improvement of the water supply at Caherciveen, prepared by a consulting engineer, have been submitted to my Department for approval. It is proposed to take a supply from the River Ferta, the estimated cost of this scheme being £14,300. Before approval can be given to a scheme of this magnitude it is essential that the adequacy of the source shall be established without doubt, and the local authority were informed last March that gaugings of the river should be taken during a dry period. The summer months are normally the most suitable for taking such measurements, but in view of the heavy rains which were experienced during the summer and autumn months of the present year readings taken during those months cannot be regarded as an indication of the flow to be expected in a very dry or even in a normal year. The local authority was, therefore, asked to continue the gaugings during the next period of dry weather.