asked the Minister for Local Government the number of group water schemes in County Cork which will qualify for grants from FEOGA; and the number of applications for grants for such schemes being processed at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
70.
Applications were made by my Department in June, 1973 for FEOGA aid towards the provision of six group water supply schemes in County Cork. All these applications are currently being processed by the EEC Commission.
Is it not a fact that this will take some time? I do not think the Minister has any control over these applications.
We have no control. The matter should not take too long. Receipt of the applications for FEOGA aid was formally acknowledged by the EEC Commission on 18th July and the groups concerned were immediately notified by the Department. We are reminding them fairly frequently that we would like an early decision.
71.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he will sanction the Croghan No. 1 regional water scheme which has been submitted to him for approval by Roscommon County Council.
As far as my Department are aware this scheme has not been accorded a high priority by the local authority.
It is primarily for the local authority to consider whether in the current circumstances of the area and the other priority needs in the county there is an urgent need for any part of the scheme.
I understand that the county council are at present considering the preparation of revised proposals for this scheme.
Deputy Kitt has requested a written reply to Question No. 72.
73.
asked the Minister for Local Government when the Inistioge sewerage scheme, County Kilkenny will be sanctioned.
I approved the revised preliminary proposals for this scheme on the 7th February, 1974.
74.
asked the Minister for Local Government the position regarding payment of the final grants to the trustees of the Clanleigh/ Kilmagoura group water scheme, County Cork.
Ten grants were paid on 30th January, 1974, bringing the total number of grants paid to date to 45. The payment of the remaining nine grants will be arranged when all work outstanding has been completed.
75.
asked the Minister for Local Government if his Department have received proposals to extend Donoughmore water scheme, County Cork; and, if so, when he will sanction them.
Proposals for this extension are under consideration in my Department.
On the basis of the information available to me however, it does not appear that the local authority regard the scheme as having a high priority in their overall programme of water and sewerage schemes in planning.
76.
asked the Minister for Local Government the action it is now proposed to take as a result of the survey carried out on local authority sewerage systems in order to reduce pollution; and the amount of money that will be made available for the coming year.
I would refer the Deputy to Appendix 9 of the Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Water Pollution which sets out the result of a survey of local authority sewerage systems and indicates the remedial works being undertaken or planned in each area. The information at Appendix 9 makes it clear that local authorities generally are aware of their responsibilities in this matter.
The increase in the capital provision for sanitary services from £8.23 million in 1972-73 to £12.95 million in 1973-74 is encouraging and enabling local authorities to accelerate their sanitary services programmes generally, including anti-pollution works. I cannot tell the Deputy at this stage the amount of money that will be provided for the programmes in the coming year.
I understood from the Minister when I raised this question before that he was proposing to introduce legislation as a result of this report. Has he made any progress?
The legislation is well advanced and it should be possible to introduce it shortly.