asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in the laying of the extension to the Glenbeigh sewerage scheme, as the pipes have been on the site for over two years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Scheme.
19.
Kerry County Council's proposal for an extension of the Glenbeigh sewerage scheme to Curraheen Little was approved by my Department on the 13th April, 1965 and a proposal for the financing of work was approved on the 13th July, 1965. On the 20th June, 1967, the council wrote to my Department indicating that they had not been able to avail of the loan originally sanctioned and proposing an alternative method of financing. Following correspondence a revised proposal incorporating a composite loan for this and other works was received on 27th September and it is hoped to issue a decision on this shortly.
20.
asked the Minister for Local Government when the residents of Cappogue, Finglas West, Dublin may expect to be provided with sewerage service.
I am informed by Dublin County Council that investigations are proceeding at present as to the possibilities of providing sewerage services to the Cappogue area.
Is the Minister aware that these investigations have been proceeding now for an unduly long time, at least nine to 12 months to my knowledge? In the light of that, will he say to the county council to get a move on and provide these people, living practically in the city although in the administrative county area, with this fundamental amenity?
What is involved here is agreement between the council and the corporation in regard to a revision in the drainage area.
Surely that only points up what I have been saying, that bureaucratic delay as between the corporation and the county council is preventing people from getting this primitive essential amenity? In the light of that, will the Minister not say to the local authority: "This is not good enough. Get it finished with and give these people what they should have"?
It is to be hoped these investigations will be concluded shortly.
In other words, you will say nothing to them?
21.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to approve the contract documents for a sewerage scheme for Kilberry, Athy, County Kildare.
Contract documents for a modified Kilberry scheme were approved by me on 10th October, 1967.
22.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to approve the contract documents for sewerage for Prosperous, County Kildare.
Contract documents for this scheme were approved by me on 9th October, 1967.
23.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to approve the preliminary proposal for sewerage for Ballytore, County Kildare.
There has been no change in the position of this scheme since my reply to the Deputy's Question No.11 of 4th July, 1967, when I indicated that a reply was awaited from the local authority to my Department's letter of 8th July, 1966, for additional data in relation to this proposal.
24.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to sanction the contract documents for sewerage for Ballyfarsoon and Old Grange, Monasterevan, County Kildare.
I approved the contract documents for this scheme on 6th October, 1967.
25.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to approve the applications for extensions for both water and sewerage to Market Square and Chapel Street, Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare.
There has been no change in the position of this scheme since my reply to Question No. 11 of 4th July, 1967. The plans for the proposed extensions which were asked for on 7th July, 1966, have not yet been received.
26.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to approve the tenders for the sewerage scheme at Roseberry, Newbridge, County Kildare.
27.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to approve the water scheme for Roseberry, Newbridge, County Kildare.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
I hope to be in a position shortly to convey a decision on the tenders for the Roseberry sewerage scheme which were submitted for my approval on 21st ultimo.
There has been no change in the position of the Roseberry water supply scheme since my reply to Question No. 11 of 4th July, 1967, when I indicated that a reply to my Department's letter of 14th December, 1966, asking for additional data in relation to this proposal was awaited.
28.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to approve the preliminary proposals submitted for water extensions at Castledermot, County Kildare.
These extensions have been the subject of discussions at technical level between officers of my Department and the local authority, arising out of which the council were asked to furnish additional data, which are awaited.
From what date?
I do not know. They have been the subject of discussions between the technical officers of my Department and the local authority. I do not know when the discussions took place. I can let the Deputy know.
Thank you.
29.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to approve the preliminary proposals for water extensions for Mullacash-Brannockstown, County Kildare.
As I indicated in a reply to the Deputy's question No. 11 of 4th July, 1967, preliminary proposals for a water supply extension from Mullacash to Brannockstown were approved in principle on 21st December, 1966. No further proposals in the matter have been received in my Department to date.
30.
asked the Minister for Local Government the date on which Westmeath County Council applied for sanction for the extension of the Athlone water supply to Coosan, Fardrum, Cornamaddy and Golden Island; the reason for the delay in sanctioning the extension; and if it is proposed to give sanction at an early date.
Contract documents for the scheme of extensions referred to by the Deputy were submitted to my Department on 20th October, 1965. The scheme, together with a number of other regional water supply schemes in Westmeath and elsewhere, is included in a review of regional schemes, generally, which is at present being carried out by sanitary authorities throughtout the country.
A decision on the documents must await completion of this review.
In view of the fact that the Westmeath County Council obviously placed it in a certain priority in 1965 and went to the trouble of advertising a contract and submitting it to the Minister for sanction, surely he cannot reasonably say it must take its place in a queue which is drawn up in an effort by the Department not to spend any more money this year?
There is no effort not to spend any more money. The effort is to identify the most urgent schemes and to spend the available money on those most urgent schemes in accordance with a proper order of priority.
Surely the Minister must appreciate the fact that if Westmeath County Council submitted a tender to him for sanction two years ago, that must be considered in its proper priority and should not now be put possibly at the tail end of groups that have only recently been considered for a water extension.
That would be a matter for Westmeath County Council.
Westmeath County Council took the necessary action on it and the Minister's Department would not sanction it for some reason best known to themselves.
It is for the council to decide on the order of priority and to identify the most urgent sections of its schemes so that the amount of money made available in any one year can be spent to the best possible advantage.
Is it not a fact that the Minister only thought that are up a couple of weeks ago, long after the scheme had been submitted to him for sanction? The Department did not sanction it and gave no reason, and that is the story as it is.
I think it is obvious the more urgent schemes should be dealt with.
That is only cod. The Minister introduced that to avoid spending money.
31.
asked the Minister for Local Government when the North County Dublin regional water scheme will be completed.
The North Dublin Regional Water Supply Scheme is divided into 13 contracts, a number of which are completed or nearing completion. These include the headworks at Leixlip, plant and rising main. The acceptance of a tender for contract No. 5, which comprises the spinal trunk main for the entire scheme and which will run from Ballycoolen to Hedgestown near Balbriggan, was approved by me on 31st May, 1967. I have made representations to Dublin County Council to get this contract under way as soon as possible and I understand that they hope that work will be commenced shortly.
As virtually all the remaining contracts are dependent for a supply of water on the completion of the spinal main the rate of progress on contract 5 will influence the rate of progress on the entire scheme.
In view of the fact that this scheme was first conceived before World War II began and has been in train since, does the Minister not hink it appropriate that we should have a silver jubilee to mark the stage it has now reached and that we might be led in an invocation that the proposal would be completed before a golden jubilee falls due, the invocation, of course, to be undertaken by the Minister's gracious colleague?
The scheme is under way.
32.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the urgent need for a water supply scheme for Arranmore Island, County Donegal; and, if he will approve the documents presented to him on 3rd March, 1967.
I am aware of this need. A review of regional schemes generally is at present being carried out by sanitary authorities throughout the country and this scheme is included. The technical processing of the documents in this case has not yet been completed. A meeting with officials of Donegal County Council was held yesterday and the relative urgency of this scheme discussed.
33.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the provision of a water supply scheme at Oola, County Limerick.
The Oola water supply scheme has been fully approved by my Department and Limerick County Council have recently been advised that they may proceed to invite tenders for the scheme.
34.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position of the proposal submitted to his Department over 12 months ago by Kerry County Council to provide a piped water scheme for the Ardfert district.
A modified proposal for a water supply scheme for Ardfert was submitted to my Department by Kerry County Council on 3rd instant and is at present under examination.
35.
asked the Minister for Local Government the position in regard to the provision of a piped water supply from the existing Lough Salt-Letterkenny mains for a number of residents at Termon, County Donegal.
The group decided some time ago to take in additional houses and to have a revised design prepared. This design has not yet been received in my Department.
Would the Minister say what the delay is?
The delay is in submitting the design.
By whom?
By the group. As I said, the group decided some time ago to take in additional houses and to have a revised design prepared. This design has not yet been received.
I understand the position quite clearly. Who is responsible? Who prepares the design?
It has to be submitted by the group.
I am not asking the Minister who submits the design, but who prepares it.
The engineer. The revised design has not yet been received.
Is it the Department's engineer or the county council engineer?
The group's engineer?
It is the Department's engineer.
The group's engineer.
36.
asked the Minister for Local Government when it is proposed to commence work on the Droumlave, Adrigole and Rossbrin, Ballydehob group water schemes, County Cork.
The plans for both schemes have been approved by my Department and the Cork County Council (West). Quotations for the supply of materials and for the other elements of the schemes have been invited. Work on the Rossbrin/Ballydehob scheme can commence as soon as suitable quotations are received. The source for the scheme at Droumlave/Adrigole requires further investigation, which is proceeding, to determine the extent of treatment necessary.
Would the Minister say when the groups in question made their contribution towards the cost of this work?
I was not asked that.
It should be in the Minister's brief. In any case, for his information it is some years ago, and is he not aware that his Department has made every move it possibly could make to hold up the execution of these schemes? Is he further aware that as far as West Cork is concerned, it is most unlikely that further group schemes will ever be mooted there again? Is it not about time that the work should commence?
As I have said, work can commence on one of these schemes as soon as the group get quotations for the supply of materials, etc. In regard to the other, further investigations of the source of the scheme is necessary.
There is always some trouble.