asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position in regard to the group water scheme at Bawnlahan, Union Hall, County Cork; the history of the scheme to date; the reason for the delay; and whether the scheme can now proceed.
Written Answers. - Water Schemes.
271.
Survey sheets in respect of 20 householders willing to participate in this scheme were received in my Department in October, 1977.
The Department's group scheme inspector for the area secured permission for the group to connect to the Leap Regional Water Scheme and this was confirmed by Cork County Council in February, 1978.
The group were advised to have a design prepared but no design has so far been submitted to my Department. In February 1980 the group scheme inspector reported that only 13 out of the 20 houses in the area were participating in the scheme and that provisional costings indicated that the scheme would be uneconomic. In March 1980 Cork County Council proposed to make a special contribution of £14,500 to the group scheme. In July 1980 the Department informed the council that, in view of the small size of the scheme and having regard to the limited funds available, they could not approve the special contribution. It was suggested to the council that the scheme be deferred pending the introduction of the proposed new grant structure under the regulation adopted by the EEC for a "Common Measure" of the improvement of public amenities, including rural water supplies, in 13 western counties. The parts of West Cork to which the regulation applies include the area in question. I am hopeful that the programme submitted to the EEC Commission will be approved in the near future and that this will facilitate increased participation by householders in the area and make the economics of the scheme more attractive.