asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give immediate approval for the raising of a loan by Laois County Council for urgent improvements to Portlaoise water supply for the purpose of improving the supply to seriously affected areas in the town and providing for an extension to Ballycarnon where there is a considerable housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers . - Portlaoise Water Supply .
493.
: The approval of the contract documents and working drawings for Portlaoise water supply scheme must be considered in the context of the amount of capital available for sanitary services and the number of fully approved schemes in progress or getting to construction stage for which adequate finance must be provided, including Newtown Doonane sewerage scheme County Laois. It is not possible to say at present when a decision will issue to the local authority.
The question of approving a loan for the scheme will not arise until it has been fully approved. I am advised that an extension of a water supply to Ballycarnan does not form part of the Portlaoise water supply scheme and there are no other proposals in the matter before my Department.