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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Nov 1979

Vol. 317 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballyhaise (Cavan) Housing Scheme.

5.

(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment the reasons for the unreasonable delay in proceeding with house building at Ballyhaise by Cavan County Council.

As this is a devolved scheme, its planning and execution is a matter for the county council. I understand from the council that the necessary sewerage facilities must be provided before the housing scheme can be built. Tenders for a sewerage scheme for Ballyhaise have been received and are being examined by the council.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that this scheme for the building of these houses is going on for about 15 years? Is he further aware that there is at least one young man and his wife living for seven years in a caravan in the village waiting for this scheme to be built? Am I right in thinking that the delay is due to the fact that the site for the sewerage scheme is being acquired from the Department of Agriculture, or the Board of Works, and that there is wrangling going on between the county council and the Department of Agriculture, or the Board of Works, for a very long time? Will he intervene to get this scheme speeded up and the houses built?

It is speeded up. Contract documents for the sewerage scheme were approved on 6 July 1978. After amendments to the documents to allow alterations to the proposed site for the treatment works, the county council advertised the scheme for tender on 19 September 1979. To date they have received six tenders which are being examined at the moment by the council.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Am I right in thinking that it was the sewerage works that were advertised?

The sewerage works.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Would the Minister tell me when are they going to advertise the housing scheme? That is what the people are going to live in.

As I said, the sewerage question had a bearing on getting the houses under way.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Surely the Minister could advertise the houses at the same time? Will it take seven more years on top of the 15 to get these houses built? If the Minister had to wait for seven or eight years and had a wife and child to think of, he would think it important too.

Unfortunately the sewerage scheme has to be completed.

(Cavan-Monaghan): This is outrageous.

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