asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in supplying water to the cottiers at Ballydasoon, County Waterford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
75.
I sanctioned the Ballydasoon water supply scheme on the 14th October last and I understand that work thereon has recently commenced.
76.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction as a matter of urgency the Ardfinnan regional piped water scheme, Clonmel, County Tipperary so that work on it may commence without further delay.
A technical report which was requested some time ago in connection with this scheme was recently received in my Department and is under examination. I am not in a position at present to say when a decision may issue on this project.
77.
asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in the Ballyrichard/Drangan group water scheme at Ballyrichard, Mullinahone, Thurles, Couny Tipperary.
There are no proposals before my Department for a group water supply scheme in this area.
78.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position of the piped water scheme to meet the needs of the people of Modeligo, Cappagh, County Waterford.
There are no proposals before my Department in this matter.
79.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction the proposal from Waterford County Council for a piped water scheme to meet the needs of the people of Ballyheaphy, Arraglen, County Cork.
I have sanctioned Waterford County Council's proposals for this scheme.
80.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position in respect of Dundrum group water scheme, County Tipperary; and why the group have been kept waiting for details of the design, specification and costs of the scheme.
The integrated designs for the Dundrum and Clonoulty group water supply schemes catering for almost 500 houses and covering more than 80 miles of pipeline were recently received by my Department's local inspector and are being examined by him. In view of the magnitude of the joint project and the detailed examination of the designs which is essential, some time must elapse before provisional costs are available.
81.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction the loans requested by Offaly County Council for (1) Shinrone sewerage scheme and (2) Mount Bolus water and sewerage scheme.
82.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the provision of the sewerage scheme for Shinrone, County Offaly; and when he anticipates that work is likely to commence.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together.
I have recommended for issue from the Local Loans Fund a loan of £58,000 to finance Shinrone sewerage scheme. I am not in a position to say when work on the scheme is likely to commence.
The local authority's recent application for a loan to finance Mountbolus water supply and sewerage schemes is premature since the planning of these schemes is not yet sufficiently advanced.
83.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction a loan for £50,000 for supplementary water and sewerage grants submitted by Offaly County Council on 6th December, 1971.
£24,000 of the loan referred to related to a proposed new swimming pool at Clara and I sanctioned a loan for this amount from the Local Loans Fund on 20th January, 1972. Loans for the purpose of defraying expenditure by local authorities on grants for the installation of private water and sewerage facilities are not available from the Local Loans Fund. If Offaly County Council wish to pursue the question of a loan for this purpose they will have to secure a suitable loan from a source other than the Local Loans Fund. I understand, however, that such a loan is not an immediate problem for the county council.
84.
asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in connection with the water scheme for Kilkishen-O'Callaghan's Mills which is required to service a large area of south-east Clare; and what steps are being taken to expedite the matter.
I approved this scheme on 28th January last.
85.
asked the Minister for Local Government if a decision has been taken regarding the mid-Kerry water scheme; and, if so, if money has been provided; and when the scheme will be started.
I told Kerry County Council recently that I had approved of a first phase of this scheme. Specific proposals regarding the extent of the works to be included in this phase are awaited in my Department. I cannot, therefore, indicate at this stage when the scheme may be started.
The question of provision of moneys does not arise until a tender has been received, but the approval of the work indicates that there should be no difficulty in this regard.
86.
andMr. L'Estrange asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the failure of Westmeath County Council to procure a loan for the making of supplementary water and sewerage grants, he will arrange for an advance from the Local Loans Fund to the council to pay these grants.
It is not the practice to make loans available from the Local Loans Fund for the purpose of financing schemes of supplementary grants for private water and sewerage installations.
I understand that a loan from a source other than the Local Loans Fund is available to the local authority for this purpose.
Why is it not the practice? Is the Minister not aware that there is not a loan available except at exhorbitant interest rates? Is the Minister aware that those people, in good faith, installed water and sewerage on the assumption that they would get the grant? Is he further aware that the people who formerly gave loans to the county council are now hesitant about giving them because of the economic state of the country and the drift to anarchy?
An Leas-Cheann Comharle
That does not arise.
It does certainly arise. If there is not stability the banks will not give loans to county councils or anybody else.
It does not arise on the question.
Will the Minister tell me what loan is available, from where is it available, and at what interest?
I understand from the county council that a loan is available to the local authority for this purpose.
Will the Minister tell us at what interest the loan is available? Does he believe that the county council should borrow at the rate of interest at which that loan has been offered to us? For how many years is the loan available? Is it three years?
I have not the details here but the Deputy can accept that the county council have indicated to my Department that they have a source available to them. I do not see any great problem. It has not been the practice to issue loans for these purposes from the Local Loans Fund. The resources of the fund have been reserved for financing major capital works and that policy will continue.
Is the Minister aware that there is no money available to Westmeath County Council except a loan for three years at an exhorbitant interest? Is the Minister prepared to sanction that?
I do not want to go into details on the subject of an individual——
Then why tell us money is available when it is not available?
It will not come from the Local Loans Fund, so I do not see any point in pursuing it here. That fund is reserved for major capital works.
Are these not major capital works? To a man who has installed water and sewerage and cannot get a grant it is very important that he should get the money.
87.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the delay in completing part I of the Ballydaly group water scheme, Millstreet, County Cork, and in starting work on part II of the scheme; and if he will give instructions to the Cork office to have this work expedited.
Part I of this scheme is almost completed. Of the 76 grants allocated, 74 have been paid and the two outstanding grants will be paid shortly. I understand that about 20 additional persons now wish to participate in the scheme and the question of allocating grants for them will be considered when a completed application form has been returned to my Department.
It was intended to serve Part II of the scheme from a mountain source but delays arose because of local difficulties over ownership of the proposed source. My Department has not been notified as yet by the group that these difficulties have been satisfactorily resolved. In the meantime, however, the question of supplying Part II by boosting the mains supply serving Part I will be considered as this may now be an economic proposition in the light of the recent increase in the maximum grants.
88.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position in regard to the proposed group water scheme at Knockcahill, Rathcoole, Mallow, County Cork.
There has been no change in the position in relation to this scheme since my reply to Question No. 157 of 25th November, 1971.
Money not available.
That is a joke.
It is no joke for the people who cannot get it.
89.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the delay in the Department's office in Cork in starting work on the Dooneen group water scheme, Millstreet, County Cork; and if he will give instructions to have the matter expedited.
I am not aware that the commencement of work on this scheme has been delayed by my Department. The design of this scheme has been approved subject to the use of increased pipe sizes to provide for further development in the area. My Department is awaiting a reply from Cork County Council as to whether or not they would be prepared to make a special contribution towards the additional cost involved.
90.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the complaint of a householder (name supplied) in the Templeogue area that under the influence of a purifying oxide the domestic water supply has a brown tinge and that this leads to the discolouration of clothes during spin-drying; and if he will take the necessary steps to remedy the matter.
This is a matter for the local authority who have informed me that they expect that any problem which may be arising at the moment in regard to the water supply mentioned will be resolved when a water improvement scheme, costing approximately £500,000, which they have in construction, is completed shortly.
Is the Minister aware that the state of the water supply, particularly in the south county and south city area, leaves much to be desired and in some cases is unfit for human consumption? Although he has not immediate responsibility for the particular problem which I have drawn to his attention will he do whatever is in his power by way of influence to get the local authorities to clear up this matter as quickly as possible? It has been hanging over our heads now for quite some time.
I have done that and the corporation have informed me that they are taking steps to improve the position in the interim. This involves flushing the hydrants in the Templeogue area. That will improve the situation somewhat but the major problem will be eliminated with the completion of the major works now under construction.
Could the Minister say when these major works will be completed?
I have been informed that they will be completed shortly. I have not the exact date or the date of the contract but they are well under way, as the Deputy knows. I could give the Deputy a fairly accurate date by way of letter.
91.
asked the Minister for Local Government what decision or other action has been taken on the proposal for a group water scheme at Tullyard, Ballymakenny, County Louth, submitted to his Department on 29th June, 1971.
This scheme was abandoned last October because a suitable source of supply for the group could not be got.
92.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he intends to sanction the scheme of extensions to the Kilkerrin-Moylough, County Galway, regional water scheme.
On the latest information available to me the extensions in question are not regarded by the local authority as having a high priority on their water and sewerage programme. I am not in a position to say when a decision in the matter is likely to issue.
93.
asked the Minister for Local Government the approximate number of people who will qualify for grants under the Mount Lucas group water supply scheme, County Offaly; and if he will consider allotting the increased grants to the people in that area in view of the fact that most of the work has yet to be done under the scheme.
This scheme will serve approximately 88 houses and will be eligible for consideration for the increased rate of grant recently announced.
94.
asked the Minister for Local Government the approximate number of people who will qualify for grants under the Moneygall/Dunkerrin group water supply scheme, County Offaly; and if he will consider allotting the increased grants to the people in that area in view of the fact that most of the work has yet to be done under the scheme.
This scheme has been designed to cater for at least 162 participants. As work has not yet been commenced, the scheme will be considered for the increased rate of grants.
95.
asked the Minister for Local Government the approximate number of people who will qualify for grants under the Forest, Mountrath, group water supply scheme, County Laois; and if he will consider allotting the increased grants to the people in that area in view of the fact that most of the work has yet to be done under the scheme.
Twenty-eight grants of £60 each were allocated for this scheme on 17th January, 1972. The scheme is a low cost one and does not qualify on cost grounds for the increased grants recently introduced.
96.
asked the Minister for Local Government the approximate number of people who will qualify for grants under the Rahan, Tullamore, group water supply scheme, County Offaly; and if he will consider allotting the increased grants to the people in that area in view of the fact that most of the work has yet to be done under the scheme.
Three hundred and fifteen grants of £60 each have been allocated so far for this scheme. The scheme cannot qualify for the increased rate of grant as work has been in progress since early 1971. The increased grants may be paid only in respect of schemes which commenced on or after 1st February, 1972.
97.
asked the Minister for Local Government the date his Department received proposals from Tralee Urban District Council in connection with the extension of water mains from the waterworks; and the present position in the matter.
Contract documents for this scheme were received in my Department on 7th December, 1971, and were approved by me on 14th February, 1972.
98.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position in regard to the Athgoe/ Castlewarden group water supply scheme, County Dublin; and what measures can be taken to bring this scheme to completion in the near future.
A design for this scheme has been approved by my Department and by Dublin and Kildare County Councils. Quotations for the work, received by the group, indicated that the cost per dwelling, based on the number of participants originally interested, would be very high. A meeting is being arranged by my Department's inspector with the group committee to ascertain precisely the number of houses participating and to determine the costings on this basis.
99.
asked the Minister for Local Government the up-to-date position regarding the group water scheme at Cahermorris, Corrandulla, County Galway.
Arrangements are being made for discussions at an early date between my Department's inspector and the county council's liaison officer to determine if the proposed source will be adequate to serve the 15 households participating in the proposal. If the source is accepted the group will be advised to have a design prepared for the scheme.
100.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to sanction Stage III of Navan sewerage scheme, County Meath.
As I indicated in reply to a previous question, preliminary proposals for this scheme have already been approved subject to further investigations of certain technical aspects. The final results of these investigations are awaited in my Department.
Is the Minister aware that there is danger at present that, if improved sanitary conditions are not provided in Navan, the lack of them will be an inhibition on growth, for which there is bound to be a demand in Navan?
It is an important scheme and when we get the proposals we are awaiting we shall process it as quickly as possible.
101.
asked the Minister for Local Government when it is proposed to start work on the Ballina Quay sewerage extension, County Mayo.
I understand that the local authority have recently advertised this scheme for tender but I could not say at this stage when work is likely to commence.
102.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the proposed new sewerage scheme for New Road, Killarney, County Kerry.
Additional technical data, to enable the proposals for this scheme to be adequately assessed, has been requested from the local authority.
103.
asked the Minister for Local Government the date on which a proposal for a sewerage scheme at Mornington, County Meath, was received in his Department; the date it was sanctioned; and, if not sanctioned, why.
Contract documents for stage I of this scheme, were submitted to my Department on the 21st September last. Examination of these documents is not yet completed.
Could the Minister say why it has taken so long to examine them?
Because they are not yet completed.
Cocky little brat.
The Minister should not give a stupid answer when he is asked a reasonable question. If he can give a reasonable answer let him give it. One thing we do not want in this House is arrogance. We had a good deal of it from Ministers who became terribly arrogant and were dumped out by their own party. Would the Minister please tell me if he has anybody in the Department who can deal with this matter and, if not, would he say what exactly is happening?
The examination of the documents has not yet been completed.
Is that another way of saying you have not got the money to proceed with the scheme? When asked about other schemes the Minister said they were too low on the priority list and therefore could not be done. This one is high on the list and yet cannot be dealth with.
Is this a complicated scheme?
I could not tell the Deputy.
The Minister does not know? He should know.
He has got the money; he does not care.
Deputies will know that the number of water and sewerage schemes and housing proposals sanctioned by my department has been increasing rapidly. The output of work has increased substantially and any comment to the contrary will not stand up to factual examination.
(Interruptions.)
Could the Minister say when the scheme is likely to be dealt with?
No, I could not.
104.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to be in a position to sanction the proposed sewerage scheme for Newtown-Shandrum, Rathluirc, County Cork.
Preliminary proposals for this scheme are under examination in my Department. I cannot say at this stage when a decision thereon will issue to the local authority.
That is no answer. Could the Minister say is it likely that sanction will issue in a month or two months?
I think the priority would have some bearing on this.
(Interruptions.)
When it is at the top of the list there is nobody to deal with it.
To show how cooperative I am I want to say that I met a deputation from the northern committee of the Cork County Council on this matter. Certain suggestions were made at that meeting in relation to priorities and if the Deputy wishes to change the priorities I shall consider that very favourably, but this scheme stands No. 7 on the North Cork priority list at the moment.
105.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he will sanction the schemes for the extension of Lanesboro sewerage scheme to the Rathcline Road, and for the provision of a new sewerage disposal bed at Lanesboro, County Longford.
I approved contract documents on the 2nd February for the extension of Lanesboro sewerage scheme to the Rathcline Road.
As regards the new sewage treatment works, further information is awaited from the local authority to enable the project to be examined.