asked the Minister for Local Government when the sewerage scheme for the Ashford area of County Wicklow will be sanctioned so that the housing of over 20 families in the area may begin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
18.
I hope to be in a position shortly to convey a decision on preliminary proposals for Ashford sewerage scheme.
Could the Minister do it as quickly as possible, please?
Yes.
19.
asked the Minister for Local Government when the water schemes for Bahana, Ballymanus-Glenealy, Rathnew-Cronakeary and Newcastle-Blackditch, County Wicklow, will be sanctioned.
I have approved Wicklow County Council's proposals for a water supply extension from Newcastle to Blackditch. Proposals for the other schemes referred to by the Deputy are under consideration in my Department with the exception of the Glenealy-Bahana scheme which was referred back to the council for further consideration in view of the high unit cost involved. I cannot indicate at present when a decision on the other schemes will issue.
Can the Minister say what is the difficulty in the other cases?
The fact is that everything cannot be done at the one time.
The Minister tries to do an awful lot. I think he is being too modest. He could deal with this in a matter of a few days.
20.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he will give sanction to the tender for Stage One of the Borris in OssoryCastletown regional water supply scheme at an estimated cost of £176,000; and the reason for the delay in sanctioning this urgent proposal of the Laois County Council.
21.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he received plans on 8th November, 1968, for his sanction in relation to an improvement to the Mountrath, County Laois, water supply scheme at an estimated cost of £10,000; and if he will now give his approval to the plans submitted in view of the urgency associ-ated with this scheme.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
Tenders for the filtration plant for the Castletown/Borris-in-Ossory regional water supply scheme, a section of which is designed to augment the Mountrath supply, are still under consideration in my Department. Having regard to the necessity to conserve available capital for housing and other essential services I am not in a position to say when a decision on this major scheme is likely to issue.
Proposals for an interim supply of water for the improvement of the position in Mountrath were submitted to my Department on the 8th November last and I hope to be in a position to convey a decision on these shortly. I understand that the provision of interim supplies for Borris and Castletown is being investigated locally.