asked the Minister for the Environment when the application from Roscommon County Council was received in his Department for the second phase of the Castlerea regional water scheme when it will be sanctioned, and when work will commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Castlerea (Roscommon) Water Scheme.
33.
Roscommon County Council's request for approval to the proposed extension of the contract for Stage 1 of the Castlerea regional water supply scheme was made to my Department by letter dated 23 November 1979. Further technical details of the proposal were forwarded with the council's letter of 25 January 1980.
This scheme must be considered in the context of the amount of capital available for water and sewerage schemes and the large number of such schemes in progress or getting to construction stage at the present time. I cannot at this stage indicate when I will be in a position to approve of this major extension of the scheme now in progress. My Department advised the county council accordingly on 25 March 1980.
Is the Minister aware that the total estimate for this work was nearly £500,000 and is he aware that if he would provide another £112,000 the Roscommon County Council would be able to provide an essential service throughout a large belt of country from Castlerea to Kilmurray and Castle-plunket? Will he now assure me that the money will be forthcoming?
I am happy to say that Roscommon County Council have major water and sewerage schemes in progress. The matter the Deputy has raised will be looked into.
In other words, there is no change in the situation since 23 November 1979?
I have said I am looking into the matter. I cannot give the guarantee the Deputy is looking for but I will look on the matter favourably.
We have been talking about taps being turned on in Dublin but in this area they have not any water supply at all.