asked the Minister for Local Government the position regarding Knockane, Castlemartyr group water scheme, County Cork; and when it will be completed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes
87.
Following the approval by my Department and Cork County Council of a design for a group water supply scheme to serve 12 houses in the area, difficulties arose in connection with the proposed source. Cork County Council recently suggested that the Knockane scheme might be served from the Castlemartyr mains after the erection of a proposed new high level reservoir to serve Castlemartyr. This suggestion is at present being investigated. I cannot comment on the likely progress of the scheme, pending the outcome of this investigation.
There is something happening there. I will leave it to the Minister to investigate what did occur. I have confidence that the Minister will investigate the position there now.
I would rather deal with it publicly. The scheme was initially received in July, 1970, and the design of the pressure scheme was approved by the Department and the county council in July-August, 1971, subject to use of increased pipe sizes as requested by the county council. The quotations and tenders came to hand in January, 1972, and the additional cost of the increased pipe sizes was calculated at £1,470. Up to March, 1973, the reservoir site had not been acquired. It was evident that acquisition would be difficult as the owner sought an undertaking from the group that the reservoir would be closed down if the site was developed as a quarry at some future date.
That is right.
In mid-March, 1973, the liaison officer between Cork County Council and the Department proposed that the Knockane area might now be served from Castlemartyr mains after a proposed new high level reservoir to serve Castlemartyr was erected. This would obviate the need for pump and reservoir but it would entail a 1,000 yard extension on the Cork/Waterford national primary road and would result in a very high cost scheme—approximately £6,400 or £530 per house for 12 houses now in the group scheme.
I know that.
The details of the proposed change are at present being examined by the Department's technical staff to ascertain the minimum costings and the amount of assistance which may be sought from the county council over and above the normal supplementary grants.
I will leave it to the Minister to do his best.
I am awaiting further reports from Cork County Council.
88.
asked the Minister for Local Government when the appointment of a cousultant for the preparation of a preliminary report on Swinford/Charlestown water supply scheme, County Mayo will be sanctioned.
The local authority will be advised of my decision in this matter shortly.
89.
asked the Minister for Local Government when work will commence on Kilgallagan group water scheme, County Mayo.
There is no proposal before my Department for a group water supply scheme at Kilgallagan, County Mayo.
90.
asked the Minister for Local Government the position in regard to Stage II of the Westport regional water scheme, County Mayo.
Detailed proposals for this scheme were submitted to my Department on 11th April, 1973. These are at present being examined.
91.
Mr. Kitt
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position in regard to the proposed extensions to the Ahascaragh water supply, County Galway.
I am having the local authority's proposals for this scheme re-examined in the context of their potential for the generation of group scheme development in the area.
92.
Mr. Kitt, Mr. Hussey and Mr. Callanan
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the proposed group water supply for Attymon, County Galway.
There are 38 houses in this scheme. Chemical and bacteriological analyses of water from the proposed source indicate that the quality of the water is satisfactory. Galway County Council have been asked to carry out a yield test on the source at the first suitable opportunity. If that test is satisfactory the group will be advised to have a design prepared.
93.
asked the Minister for Local Government when construction of the new sewerage scheme for Oldcastle, County Meath, will commence.
Contract documents for this scheme are under examination in my Department and I hope to convey a decision thereon to the local authority shortly. Progress thereafter will really be a matter for the local authority.
Did a scheme in the £60,000 region die at local authority level already in connection with this town?
I can give Deputy Wilson the details. A preliminary report for the Oldcastle sewerage scheme, at an estimated cost of £48,000, was approved on 7th March, 1972. Contract documents for the scheme, at an estimated cost of £57,850 were received in the Department on 26th January, 1973, and are under technical examination. Some adjustments are to be discussed by the Department's engineering inspector with the consulting engineer for the scheme during the week, subject to which the proposals can then be cleared technically. When this has been done approval to the contract documents can issue and at this point it can be indicated that a decision will be conveyed to the local authority in the matter shortly.
In view of the Minister's concern for speeding things up in Donegal, will he assure me that, in the case of this town which we both like so much, he will speed up the sewerage scheme for Oldcastle?
In view of the possibility of its returning to County Meath in the not too far distant future I will definitely do that.
94.
asked the Minister for Local Government if his Department will treat as urgent the extension of the Millstreet sewerage scheme, County Cork; and when work on it will commence.
This scheme was approved in principle on the 20th December last and the local authority's further proposals are awaited.
95.
asked the Minister for Local Government when grants for Kilkelly sewerage scheme, County Mayo will be sanctioned by his Department.
I assume that the Deputy has in mind the question of sanction to a loan to finance the scheme. Consideration of a loan for the scheme would be premature at this stage as revised contract drawings for this project have only recently been received in my Department.