asked the Minister for Local Government the present position in regard to the extension and improvement of Cobh water supply, County Cork; and if he will endeavour to have the scheme speeded up in view of its urgency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
12.
While the proposals for the carrying out of the work are generally in order, loan applications to finance the Cobh water supply augmentation scheme are still under consideration in my Department. I am not yet in a position to say when approval thereto will issue.
When can we expect to have a decision?
I could not really say.
No money.
13.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether a survey has been carried out to determine the feasibility of installing a regional water scheme in the Ballyhaunis area of County Mayo.
I understand from Mayo County Council that no specific survey has been carried out in the Ballyhaunis area to determine the feasibility of installing a regional water scheme in the area.
14.
asked the Minister for Local Government what progress has been made towards the installation of a regional water supply at Cashel, Achill Island, County Mayo; and when it is proposed to have it in operation.
I have already approved preliminary plans for stage 2 of the Achill regional water supply extensions scheme which provides for a supply of water to the Cashel area. Final contract drawings for this stage which, I understand, are at present under consideration by Mayo County Council, have not yet been submitted to my Department.
I am not in a position to say when the scheme is likely to be in operation.
15.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction without delay the following schemes as submitted by Cork County Council: (a) Clonakilty regional water supply scheme, (b) Crookhaven water and sewerage scheme, (c) Goleen sewerage scheme, and (d) Rosbrin (Ballydehob) group water supply scheme.
Contract documents and loan proposals for the schemes referred to by the Deputy are still under consideration in my Department. I am not in a position to say when a decision on these proposals is likely to issue.
On 19th September last, Cork County Council were asked to furnish additional information in relation to their proposal to increase storage capacity in the Schull-Ballydehob water supply scheme to cater for the anticipated demands of the Rosbrin group water scheme. This information is awaited.
Is the Minister aware that Cork County Council invited tenders for the Clonakilty scheme last February and that these tenders remain unopened in the council offices at Clonakilty, due to the fact that the Minister made it clear that money would not be forthcoming for the implementation of this scheme? Is he also aware that, so far as the other schemes are concerned, they have been approved by the council's technical advisers and that his statement is just an excuse for not implementing the scheme? Surely, in view of the Minister's statement last week that large schemes approved by his Department would be executed and that there would be no hold-up as far as money was concerned, he will now release the Clonakilty scheme for which tenders were received last February?
I should like to correct the Deputy's belief as to what I said. I said that all housing schemes are being cleared and they have been cleared but not all water or sanitary schemes.
Is the Minister aware that the county council made a special request in the case of the Clonakilty regional scheme, which is a very big one, for approval for the commencement of work on it this year? Probably the scheme will be spread over a number of years and further money might be made available in next year's and the following year's Estimates. Would the Minister not agree, having regard to the fact that contractors at great inconvenience and expense tendered for the scheme, which is to cost over £½ million, that it is only fair that their tenders should be opened and considered? Would he consider giving the council approval for the scheme financially? The Minister is not replying.
Do I understand the Deputy correctly about the tenders?
The tenders have been received for the Clonakilty scheme with the approval of the Minister and are in the Clonakilty council offices since last February, but in view of the information given by the Minister in regard to the financial position, I, as Chairman of the county council, did not open them.
My information is that the final contract documents had not been approved by the council but notwithstanding——
The Minister's information is out of date.
Notwithstanding that tenders have been invited.
In view of the fact that the Minister's information is not up to date, will he reconsider the matter?
The Deputy's information is not up to date, either. Notwithstanding the fact that the final contract documents were not approved by the county council, they did go to tender and although they have received these tenders which they invited, they have deferred opening them until the question of the availability of finance was determined.
Seeing that that is the big question now, could the Minister say when the finance will be available?
It will not be available this year.
Will it be available next April?
It is implied in the question that the number of schemes involved would cost an estimated £700,000. One of the schemes, the Clonakilty regional scheme would by itself cost more than half a million pounds. I cannot possibly say at this stage that any or all of this will be available next year. I hope a start may be made but I could not be tied to that without going into it in great detail.
I shall see the Minister again about it.
Certainly.