asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the present unsatisfactory position of the water supply at Ferbane, County Offaly; if there are any proposals for the improvement of the supply to this town as many residents are unable to obtain their full requirements of water for domestic and other uses; if, in view of the fact that the residents have requested a proper water supply and of the fact that the town's needs are increasing, he will have inquiries made into the matter; and if he will make a general statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Schemes.
40.
I approved on the 30th October, 1970, of proposals for the sinking of test bores to locate a suitable source to augment the Ferbane water supply and serve the village of Belmont. The results of these tests have proved unsatisfactory and the local authority are now considering alternative proposals.
41.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position of the proposed water scheme at Touraneena, County Waterford.
Approval to the sinking and testing of a borehole to serve as a source for the Tooraneena water supply scheme issued in July, 1970. The yield of the bore has been found satisfactory and a design for the scheme is now being prepared.
42.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied that the outline scheme for the extension of the East Meath regional water scheme to Dunboyne and Dunshaughlin is technically sound; and, if so, when he proposes to sanction the drawing up and implementation of detailed plans for same.
The sections of the East Meath water supply scheme approved by me provide appropriate capacity to serve extensions to Dunboyne and Dunshaughlin. The preparation and submission of detailed proposals for these extensions is a matter for the county council. No such proposals are at present held up through lack of my sanction.
43.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied that the outline scheme for the extension of the South Meath regional water scheme to Enfield, Longwood, Laracor and other rural areas is technically sound; and, if so, when he proposes to sanction the drawing up and implementation of detailed plans for same.
The information available to me is not sufficient to enable me to say whether or not this scheme is technically sound. The project has not been accorded a high priority on the Meath County Council's list of sanitary services schemes and, in the circumstances, the preparation of detailed plans would be premature until further progress has been made with the works regarded by the county council as being more urgently required.
44.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to sanction the implementation of detailed proposals for the extension of a mains water supply to the rural area around Navan, County Meath; and when he received proposals from Meath County Council.
Contract documents for stage 1 of the Navan and mid-Meath water supply scheme to serve Navan and the immediate environs were submitted to my Department on the 11th March, 1971, and are being examined. Approval has already issued to the Windtown and Boyne Road water supply extensions and I understand that work on the Windtown extension has commenced.
How long does the Minister estimate it will take to carry out the necessary examination and give a decision as to whether or not he is going to sanction the extension to the rural area, apart from Windtown?
We shall try and deal with it as expeditiously as possible, but the proposals were only submitted to the Department on 11th March, 1971.
Does the Minister know what number it is on the priority list?
I have not got that information with me.
45.
asked the Minister for Local Government what action he is taking to have a water supply provided for the people of Keashcarrigan, County Leitrim, as the present water supply is completely inadequate.
The group were advised that they should proceed as soon as possible with the remedial works outlined to them by my Department. When this is agreed by the group, arrangements will be made for the allocation of the appropriate State grants towards the cost of this work.