asked the Minister for Local Government the position relative to the water and sewerage schemes for Downings, County Donegal; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
13.
I am informed by Donegal County Council that there is an existing water supply in Downings and that no proposals for the extension or improvement of the scheme are contemplated.
Contract drawings and specification for Downings sewerage scheme were approved by me on 27th May, 1965. I understand that the council have not yet acquired the lands necessary for the scheme.
I understand the Minister was in this area in the past few days. Is he not aware of the demand for this service in that area and is he not in a position to tell Donegal County Council to go ahead and acquire the land or would he care to admit to the House that Donegal County Council have no money available?
The Deputy cannot sidestep his obligations to his constituency by paying a visit occasionally to this area when an election is pending and then coming back and asking questions of me, the answers to which he already knows. In this regard there is no question of any proposals for the extension or improvement of any water scheme in Downings. The sewerage scheme is being dealt with by his county council and they have not acquired the necessary lands yet.
Bluff, "Blaney's blarney"— a lot of talk.
That will not work for the Deputy, particularly in Downings.
A lot of talk and no action.
14.
asked the Minister for Local Government the cause of the delay in having sanctioned the following proposals submitted by Listowel Urban Council: (a) final sanction for the major water supply improvement scheme; (b) supplementary loan of £650 for the extension of sewerage scheme to Ballygologue; (c) loan of £4,300 for the purchase of lands; and (d) loan of £300 for the provision of ranges for council houses.
Detailed plans for the proposed treatment works and meter house, together with the consulting engineer's report, in connection with the Listowel water supply improvement scheme are, with a number of similar proposals, still under examination in my Department.
The council's applications for loans to finance Ballygologue sewerage extension and the purchase of lands at "The Lawn", Listowel, were received on 28th March, 1966, and 9th May, 1966, respectively, and are under consideration in conjunction with an examination of the overall position in relation to the financing of projects of this kind during the present financial year.
An application for a treasurer's loan of £300 for the provision of ranges in council houses was received in the Department on the 9th May, 1966, and is under consideration.
Would the Minister even consider giving sanction to the raising of £300 to provide ranges in county council houses?
I have already said that having received the application on the 9th May, it is now under consideration.
15.
asked the Minister for Local Government what progress has been made towards the sanction of tenders for the Ballynacargy sewerage scheme, County Westmeath.
16.
asked the Minister for Local Government if sanction will issue in respect of the sewerage scheme submitted by Westmeath County Council for the service of Delvin, which was put forward by the council in November 1965.
17.
asked the Minister for Local Government if sanction will be extended to cover the proposed water supply extension on the Rathcline Road, Lanesboro, County Longford.
18.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will issue sanction for the proposed water supply scheme at Granard, County Longford.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take the reply to Questions Nos. 15, 16, 17 and 18 together.
Tenders for Ballynacargy sewerage scheme and for the proposed extension of the Granard water supply to Clogh-church, Creevy and Springtown are, together with similar proposals, at present under examination in my Department.
A loan application of £22,000 to finance Delvin sewerage scheme is under consideration in conjunction with an examination of the overall position in relation to the financing of water and sewerage projects in the current financial year.
Longford County Council have been asked to furnish additional information as to the availability of water to supply the proposed extensions along Rathcline Road, Lanesboro. This information is awaited.