asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state with reference to the Glenascaul-Oranmore group water scheme, County Galway, what steps he will take to ensure that pipes which burst in tests and for which a Government grant was paid in connection with the scheme are replaced free of expense to the said group.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
30.
As I indicated to the Deputy on 27th October last, this matter has been taken up with the manufacturers of the pipes in question. The group were asked early in January to ascertain the current cost of completing the scheme. This information is awaited.
Does the Minister not agree that it is a public disgrace that a member of Taca, who supplied these pipes, is being covered up?
The Deputy may put a question.
I am putting a very serious question to the Minister and he knows that what I say is true.
I am aware that the matter has been taken up with the manufacturers of the pipes.
31.
asked the Minister for Local Government the date on which the proposals for a water scheme for Scrawtown, Prosperous, were submitted by Kildare County Council; and when he proposes to sanction same.
A proposal for the appointment of a consulting engineer to prepare a preliminary report for a water supply scheme for Scrawtown, Prosperous, was submitted to my Department on the 5th instant. I have asked Kildare County Council to furnish additional technical information to enable the matter to be further considered.
32.
asked the Minister for Local Government the date on which the proposals for a water scheme for Coill Dubh were submitted by Kildare County Council; and when he proposes to sanction same.
There are no proposals before my Department for a water scheme for Coill Dubh.
33.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give the reasons for the delay in supplying a water main for the eight cottages in Hillbrook, Coolboy, Arklow, County Wicklow.
There are no proposals before my Department for a water main for eight cottages in Hillbrook, Coolboy, Arklow.
34.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the serious hardship caused to the residents of nine cottages in the Street, Carnew, County Wicklow, owing to the absence of an adequate water supply for the area; and what action it is proposed to take to have a water supply provided.
The Tinahely-Carnew water supply scheme which will make provision for the Street, Carnew, is, together with a number of other regional water supply schemes in County Wicklow and elsewhere, included in the review of regional schemes generally which is being carried out by sanitary authorities throughout the country.
A decision on the scheme must await the outcome of the review.
Can the Minister give us an assurance that the people of Carnew will not have to wait as long for this regional scheme to materialise as have the people of my constituency and of the Minister's? The North County Dublin Regional Water Supply Scheme is 25 years in preparation.
That is a separate question.
I appreciate Deputy Dunne's regret that this water is being supplied.
35.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received an application from Kerry County Council for permission to float a loan to finance water and sewerage schemes in the county; and, if so, if he will sanction such a loan.
The answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative. The council have a number of loans before my Department for the financing of individual schemes.
36.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) the number of applications from each local authority area for authorisation of piped water and sewerage schemes received by his Department in the last twelve months, together with dates of sanction or rejection; (b) the amounts sought in grants for these schemes; (c) the amount allocated in each case; (d) the number and amount of grants sought and plans submitted which are awaiting sanction from his Department, giving date of submission; and (e) the approximate date on which each scheme will be dealt with.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department and would take an inordinate amount of time to compile which, in my opinion, would not be justified.
37.
asked the Minister for Local Government why the sewerage scheme agreed by Wicklow County Council for the Shillelagh area 12 months ago has not as yet been commenced; and if he will have this scheme commenced immediately in view of the hardship caused and the danger of pollution.
A decision on Wicklow County Council's proposal for a sewerage scheme for Shillelagh must await the outcome of the review of water and sewerage schemes in planning which is at present being carried out by sanitary authorities generally throughout the country.
The Wicklow by-election——
We shall get the votes all right.