Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 1

Written Answers. - Water Supplies.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

100 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the instructions, if any, he has given to the local authorities in relation to the payment of individual water supply grants which are approved for grant assistance; the stage at which the local authorities are entitled to pay the grant; if it is possible to direct the local authorities to make 50 per cent of the grant available for applicants in financial difficulty in cases where contractors may not be prepared to carry out the work and wait for the money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24306/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

The grant scheme for the provision or necessary improvement of an individual water supply to a house is administered by the local authorities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme which are determined by my Department and set out in an explanatory memorandum, copies of which are available from all county councils.

Approved grants are payable to applicants by the local authority on the satisfactory completion of the works in question and compliance with the tax related and general conditions of the scheme. It would not, therefore, be possible to direct local authorities as suggested in the question.