asked the Minister for the Environment if he will sanction the proposals regarding the Kilgarvan regional water scheme, County Kerry.
Written Answers. - Kerry Water Schemes.
243.
My Department asked the local authority to investigate the possibility of having the distribution mains for the Kilgarvan scheme carried out by group water scheme development. The council have recently made a proposal in this regard which is at present being examined in my Department and I will convey a decision thereon to the local authority shortly to enable them to proceed with the further planning of the scheme.
244.
asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in paying grants to Aghatubrid group water scheme, County Kerry.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Dirreen Upper/Aghatubrid group water scheme. There has been no undue delay by my Department in paying grants to this group. Of the £18,716 State grants allocated to the group a total of £15,510 has to date been paid. The special rate of grant payable in Gaeltacht areas cannot be allocated until a written undertaking that every effort will be made to preserve and foster the Irish language in the area and to promote the use of the language as a vernacular has been furnished to Roinn na Gaeltachta. I understand that there are extra householders willing to participate in the scheme. As yet the group have not submitted further application forms to my Department to cover these additional members. When these forms are returned to the relevant Departments and when further work on the scheme is carried out arrangements will be made to have a further instalment of grant paid to the group.