Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - North Westmeath Group Water Scheme.

Mrs. O'Rourke

There is a large file on this matter in the Minister's Department. It was there long before the Minister of State or I entered the political system. This was a priority matter some time ago, but it has lacked impetus in recent times. The north Westmeath group water scheme was officially approved, but it did not proceed. However, in recent times proposals for the scheme have been revived and Deputies from the constituency have become active in the matter again. The people in the area believe in democracy and in approaching Government and Opposition Deputies in the belief that a Government is as good as a watchful Opposition. Hence, it is my role this evening to put forward a case for the people of the area.

This is a large scheme and many people would have a better quality of life if it were finalised. The process has been explained to those who wish to join, money has been collected and meetings have been held. By and large the paraphernalia that surrounds all group water schemes has been dealt with. Those who originally devised group water schemes should be commended on their initiative. The people who join them pay money and, therefore, have a part ownership.

The plans for the scheme in north Westmeath have been agreed, but a large amount of funding will be necessary to implement it. Those involved in the scheme believe that if they are to retain the good will of those who wish to join, the Department of the Environment must confirm as soon as possible that the scheme can proceed towards award of contract. If the goodwill of the people involved in the group water scheme is to be retained, they need confirmation from the Department of the Environment as quickly as possible so that the scheme can progress through the stages which will lead towards the final realisation of the award of contract matters such as this.

All Departments move slowly, but big Departments move even more slowly. I am aware that this is a major scheme, but I urge the Minister to arrange for the speedy expedition of the remaining components of the process and give an assurance regarding the budgetary arrangements. There are over 600 households whose quality of life will be greatly affected if this group water scheme does not go ahead. I strongly endorse it and I urge the Minister, who has taken a personal interest in it, to give us an affirmative answer this evening.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

I think Deputy O'Rourke for raising this important matter which has been a focus of significant public attention in recent weeks. It was also the subject of a parliamentary question tabled today by Deputies Penrose and McGrath, so I am very aware of the united public front put up by the Deputies representing the Westmeath constituency in relation to this matter.

It is a very large and ambitious scheme intended to serve 600 or more households and associated farms. Considering that the average size of group water schemes is 40 houses, it can easily be seen that this is no ordinary group scheme.

The scheme was first mooted as far back as 1978. I was not in the House then, but the venerable tradition of Deputy O'Rourke's family was represented even then in this House. Initially, the lack of suitable sources of drinking water inhibited group water scheme development in this area of north Westmeath. The development of the Castlepollard regional water supply scheme extended the public supply as far as the group catchment. However, it would still be necessary to lay substantial lengths of trunk main through the heartland of the group's catchment to guarantee an adequate supply to peripheral areas.

The technical elements of the redesigned scheme were approved by Westmeath County Council in December 1989, subject to a number of conditions relating to the upsizing of water mains, provision of district metering and hydrants and additional storage capacity. The proposal was not actively progressed by the group for a time but has, more recently, been reactivated.

This is a large-scale and complex project by any standards and not typical of group schemes generally. The scheme comprises over six miles of eight inch trunk water mains, 17 miles of six inch, 19 miles of four inch and about 15 miles of three inch distribution mains. Two reservoirs are planned, one at Brownstown of 150,000 gallon capacity and one at Rosmead of 200,000 gallon capacity.

The group has so far submitted grant applications in respect of some 377 houses and 230 farms. I do not have an accurate assessment of overall membership at this time, but I understand there is a potential 600 members within the group's catchment.

On the face of it, this will be a difficult scheme to construct and finance under the Department of the Environment's group water scheme programme. The standard group water scheme grants of £1,600 per house and £1,200 per farm, with members' own contributions, are unlikely to be sufficient to finance it. To ensure the financial viability of the scheme, it would also require a substantial supplementary grant from the Department of the Environment. At this stage, there is no reliable estimate of cost for the project or the group's total grant entitlement.

The group has been asked to submit a bill of quantities for the overall scheme, showing a schedule of quantities for each section and up-to-date prices for the items listed in order that costs can be accurately assessed by the Department. Until such time as this information has been received and examined, it is not possible to determine what the overall cost is likely to be or the level of grant-aid necessary to ensure the financial viability of the scheme.

I assure the Deputy and her constituency colleagues that I will deal with this matter as quickly as possible when the outstanding information required by my Department is received.