asked the Minister for Local Government if grants for the group water scheme at Lower Keeldrum, Gortahork, County Donegal will be paid; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
19.
Three of the five grants involved are being paid pending completion of the scheme.
20.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the Kells group water scheme, County Kerry which was put forward in 1963 and is estimated to cost £4,800; if he is aware that the people concerned are very perturbed at the delay; and if he will take steps so that this scheme can be implemented immediately.
As I indicated in reply to Deputy Tim O'Connor on the 25th June last the latest information available to me is that the local authority do not regard the provision of the head works for this scheme as of high priority. This means that the group would have to meet the full cost of this scheme apart from the normal State and local authority grants. The contribution of the group would therefore on present estimates be in the region of £4,160. The position in this regard has already been explained to the group.
Had not Deputy Tim O'Connor that question in too?
He probably had. There was not the same need, though, to refer to it in that case.
21.
asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in implementing the Beaufort-Killarney group water scheme, County Kerry.
Some delay was experienced by this group in establishing the yield of the source. The design of the scheme has been approved by Kerry County Council provided the quality of the water which is currently being analysed, is acceptable.
22.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has allocated approximately £17,000 to Laois County Council for the completion of group water schemes at Emo and Ballacolla; if he is aware that the position in regard to this allocation is not clear from his Department's recent letter; and if he will confirm that the sum is a special grant which is separate from the normal allocation for sanitary services.
I have already indicated that I am making a loan of £17,000 available for this purpose and formal sanction will issue in a day or two. This loan of £17,000 will be in addition to the amount already notified to the county council for works in progress at 31st March last.
23.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position of the proposed water scheme connecting Falcarragh and Gortahork, County Donegal.
At discussions which took place last month between technical officers of my Department and the local authority certain changes in the design of this scheme were agreed. These changes will necessitate revision of the contract documents.
24.
(Cavan) asked the Minister for Local Government if he will explain the delay in proceeding with the regional water scheme for Cavan, Ballyhaise, Redhills and Butlersbridge, County Cavan; and if he will take steps to have this scheme proceeded with immediately.
Stage I of the Cavan regional water supply scheme as originally envisaged provided for a supply of water to the areas referred to by the Deputy including an auxiliary supply for the Cavan urban area. Revised preliminary proposals for a modified scheme were submitted to my Department on the 4th April, 1968.
The revised scheme will be restricted for the time being to meeting the water requirements of the Cavan urban area which are regarded as the most urgent.
The present position is that I have asked the local authority to submit certain additional data before they proceed to prepare contract documents for the modified scheme.
25.
asked the Minister for Local Government when it is proposed to provide a sewerage scheme for the Gaeltacht village of Annagry, County Donegal.
Having regard to the necessity to conserve available capital for housing and other essential services only those sanitary services works of high priority can be allowed to proceed at the present time. As I indicated in reply to a recent question by the Deputy, I expect to convey a decision shortly on Donegal schemes in this category to the value of about £340,000.
In determining the priority of the village of Annagry, will the Minister bear in mind that during a considerable period the village of Annagry has been the centre of a large educational holiday programme for children visiting the Gaeltacht for the purpose of learning Irish?
It is the local authorities who decide on the order of priority of these schemes. I have no doubt they will bear it in mind in this case.
Will the Minister say whether, in the existing financial situation, regard had to be had to marshalling the financial resources in accordance with the urgency of the various schemes proposed? In that marshalling operation, might it not easily be imagined that Annagry was an ordinary rural village scheme though in fact this involves a sewerage scheme for an area accommodating a large educational programme for children who repair to that area annually on an approved programme for the studying of Irish?
I agree this would be a relevant consideration and that it should be taken into consideration.
26.
asked the Minister for Local Government when application for sanction for a sewerage scheme for Ashbury, Roscrea, County Tipperary, was made to his Department; and when sanction will be given.
Acceptance of a tender for an extension of the Roscrea sewerage scheme to Ashbury, Glentara, and Golden Grove was sanctioned by me on 19th June.
27.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects work to start on the sewerage scheme in Oranmore, County Galway.
On the 29th May, 1968, I asked Galway County Council to submit certain technical data to enable their application for sanction to the appointment of consulting engineers for the preparation of plans for a sewerage scheme for Oranmore to be considered. This is awaited.
28.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects work to start on the sewerage scheme for Moycullen, County Galway.
Having regard to the necessity to conserve available capital for housing and other essential services, only those sanitary services works of the highest priority can be allowed to proceed at the present time. In the case of Galway city and County, I have recently released two urgent schemes costing about £240,000.