Vol. 489 No. 6
496 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, his Department has to examine all of the major water supply schemes in County Kilkenny that fall outside the funding possibility under the normal grant scheme allocation with a view to giving a substantial special grant from central funds; the EU funds, if any, available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8745/98]
Funding for water and sewerage services under the National Development Plan 1994-1999 is provided from the Cohesion Fund, the Structural Funds under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services and the INTERREG II Initiative, or solely from the Exchequer. There are no other sources of funding available.
The 1998 investment programme provides for the continuing construction of the Kilkenny main drainage scheme (Breagagh Valley), the advancement of the planning of the Thomastown sewerage scheme, phase 1 (source protection) of the Gowran/Goresbridge/Paulstown regional water supply scheme as well as the Kilkenny city water conservation project. A sum of £455,831 is also being made available to Kilkenny County Council under the rural water programme.
Given the high level of commitments under the investment programme, I regret that it is not possible to provide additional funding this year for projects in County Kilkenny. Outstanding needs for the county and other counties will be assessed later this year as part of the preparations for the 1999 water and sewerage services investment programme.
