Edward Nealon
Question:139 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment when work will commence on the Sligo and environs major water scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19063/96]
Written Answers. - Sligo and Environs Water Scheme.
Edward Nealon
Question:140 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the fact that the EU cohesion money allocated for the Sligo and environs major water scheme amounted to less than half the amount required for the plans submitted by his Department on behalf of Sligo County Council, if he will give details of the works to be undertaken with the aid of the more limited funds made available; whether the original plans will be pursued with the aid of Exchequer funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19064/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
The Commission decision on the Lough Gill regional water supply scheme relates to the planning and construction of the following individual projects which were included in stage 1 of the application. Sligo and environs — intake and pumphouse, rising main, treatment works, storage reservoir, weir rehabilitation works, Sligo borough distribution mains, and the refurbishment of Cairns Hill water treatment works. Contract documents for those works are being technically examined in my Department and it is hoped that construction will commence in 1997.
The Commission decision on stage 1 also provided for the planning of Kilsellagh treatment works, dam and reservoir and the local authority have approval to proceed with this. Stage 2 of the application, which has not been approved by the Commission, comprises the construction of these works and the distribution mains to supply water to the outlying regions of the environs of Sligo.