asked the Minister for the Environment the date his Department received proposals from the Kerry County Council in connection with the Kerry central regional water scheme; if he is aware of the urgency to provide a much needed water supply to Tralee and Killarney and a large part of rural areas in Kerry; and, if so, if he will make a statement on this very important development.
Written Answers. - Kerry Water Schemes.
343.
Kerry County Council submitted preliminary proposals for the Central Kerry Regional Water Supply Scheme on 20 April 1979. The proposed scheme comprises six separate contracts. The Department conveyed approval to the proposals to the council on 25 June 1979 and requested submission of contract documents for contracts Nos. 1-5 of the proposed scheme.
Kerry County Council submitted contract documents for Contract No. 1 on 11 January 1980. Contract No. 1 principally comprises intake at Owgarriff River, rising main from Lough Guitane, gravity main from Sheheree service reservoir and a supply main to Killarney. I hope to be in a position to convey a decision on this contract to the local authority in the near future.
Kerry County Council submitted contract documents for contract No. 6A (Tralee Ring main) on 11 February 1980 and requested early sanction, as the proposed watermain is required to serve the new county hospital in Tralee. The relevant contract documents were approved on 26 September 1980; a loan of £100,000 was sanctioned on 16 October 1980; and acceptance of a tender was sanctioned on 28 January 1981.
Kerry County Council submitted contract documents for Contract. No. 3 on 13 February 1981. Contract No. 3 principally provides for a distribution main within Killarney urban district, a service main to Madams Height service reservoir; a rising main to a break pressure tank situated at Boolacullane, Farranfore, and the construction of a large pumping station and a reservoir at Coolcoran, Killarney. The relevant contract documents are under examination in the Department.
The submission of contract documents for contracts numbered 2, 4 and 5 is awaited.