andMr. Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the inadequate sewerage facilities and water supply in the town of Portarlington, County Laois, the threat to the health of the community and the effect on the development of the town; and, if so, when he will approve the application of Laois County Council for the improvement works necessary to remedy the problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Supply and Sewerage Schemes.
8.
I am aware of the need for the early augmentation of the Portarlington water supply. I have approved of the preliminary report for a major improvement scheme to meet the long term needs of the town and environs and the preparation of contract documents for the first stage of this scheme.
In view of the urgent need to augment the supply approval issued in July 1980 to proposals for an interim augmentation of the supply based on a groundwater source. The groundwater investigations have only recently proved successful and I am awaiting the submission of contract documents for a scheme based on this groundwater source which will make a substantial improvement to the town supply pending the implementation of the major improvement scheme.
Contract documents for the Portarlington sewerage scheme have to be considered in the context of the overall capital resources available for the water and sewerage programme and of the number of schemes already approved for construction for which adequate finance must be provided. I am not as yet in a position to indicate when a decision thereon can be conveyed to the local authority.
In view of the fact that Portarlington is, possibly, the only developing town in the country that has not got a sewage works of any kind, that this situation presents a serious threat to public health in the town — we have examples of sewage coming up in the streets — and that development——
Would you make your question short?
My question will be short. I hope to get to it eventually. In view of the fact that development is being restricted totally by way of housing, with Laois County Council having to refuse planning permissions and not being in a position to build any new houses in Portarlington, would the Minister consider treating Portarlington as an emergency case and will he give us an assurance that provision will be made in his Estimate for next year to provide a new sewerage system in Portarlington?
I understand the Deputy's dilemma. When I know exactly the amount of money that will be allocated to me, I will look at all the schemes and all the urgent ones will be dealt with. From what Deputy Hyland has said I have no doubt the Portarlington scheme will be treated urgently.
I wish to ask a question with regard to the water supply in the town. Is the Minister aware that a number of local authority tenants in the town cannot light fires in the ranges because there is not a water supply during the week-ends? This will be particularly serious during the winter months. I ask the Minister to treat it as a matter of urgency. I am talking about tenants of local authority houses at the Offaly end of the town — part of the town is in Offaly and another part in Laois. Those in the Offaly end are in a particularly bad way now that winter is approaching.
I am awaiting the contract document for the scheme and I am sure Deputy Connolly will be able to give a push to the people responsible for the documents.
9.
asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the necessity of providing an additional water supply to facilitate prospective industrialists, he will sanction moneys for the augmentation of the Dungarvan town water supply, County Waterford.
The local authority's proposals for this scheme must be considered in the context of the amount of capital available for water and sewerage schemes and the number of such schemes in progress or getting to construction at present for which adequate finance must be provided. I cannot as yet indicate when I will be in a position to approve of this scheme, contract documents for which are under consideration in my Department.
Is there any liaison between the Department and the IDA? Is the Minister aware that an industrial project has been mooted for Dungarvan which is expected to employ 475 people but that this project will be put in jeopardy if the water supply which has been requested is not provided? Does the Minister know about this?
I am not aware that an industry is being held up, but I will take that into consideration when I am looking at the matter. It would not be my intention to delay such a project.
I should like to know if this matter was brought to the notice of the Department some months ago. So far there have not been any results, and in view of the seriousness of the position would the Minister come back to me on it in a matter of weeks?
I will have a look at it.
10.
asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals his Department have for a group water scheme at Dawras, Letterfrack, County Galway.
The Dawras group water scheme originally proposed to obtain a supply of water by connecting to the Letterfrack public water supply scheme. However, Galway County Council informed my Department that they could not allow the group to take the necessary connection until improvement works have been carried out on the public scheme. No proposals for the improvement works have as yet been received from Galway County Council. In the meantime my Department have written to the promoter of the scheme asking if an alternative source can be located by the group.
11.
asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals his Department have for the extension of a water scheme to Carnmore, Lisheenavalla and Cregmore, County Galway.
The position regarding these group water supply schemes is as follows: The design for the Lisheenavalla group water scheme has been approved by my Department and a copy has been sent to Galway County Council for their approval, if in order.
The Carnmore No. 2 group water scheme was completed in January 1981. Grants totalling £30,600 have been allocated to the Cregmore group water scheme and Galway County Council have been asked to indicate if they would be willing to make a special contribution of £2,858 to the group to cover the cost of increased pipe sizes requested by the council.
I wonder would the Minister indicate that the scheme at Carnmore, mentioned in Deputy Donnellan's question, was completed earlier this year?
That is right.
12.
asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals his Department have in relation to the regional water scheme at Gort, County Galway.
Preliminary proposals for the Gort water supply improvement scheme have been approved in principle and approval to the preparation of contract documents has been given for stage 1 of the scheme. The further planning of the scheme is a matter for the local authority.
13.
asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals his Department have to augment the water supply at Kinvara, County Galway.
There are no proposals before my Department to augment the water supply at Kinvara, County Galway.
The Minister should organise a State party for Deputy Donnellan for having put down all these questions.
14.
asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals his Department have for the installation of filters at Lough Buffy which serves the Oughterard regional water scheme, County Galway
Contract documents for the Oughterard regional water supply scheme, stage 1, phase 2, which have been approved by my Department, provide for a rapid gravity filtration water treatment works at Lough Buffy. Galway County Council has been advised that tenders for the scheme may be sought subject to section 63 of the 1878 Act being complied with in relation to the proposed reservoir. I understand that the necessary notices have, in fact, been published and that there have been no objections. The further planning for the scheme is a matter for the local authority.
15.
asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals his Department have for a sewerage scheme at Craughwell, County Galway.
There are no proposals before my Department for a sewerage scheme for Craughwell, County Galway.