Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Water Quality.

Michael Bell

Question:

33 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps, if any, he will take to deal with the serious situation identified in the recent report of the Environmental Protection Agency which showed that water quality in up to 36 per cent of group water schemes was unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10825/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey): I refer to the reply to Priority Questions Nos. 30 and 32 in which I outlined the wide range of measures being taken under the rural water programme to address quality deficiencies in group water supplies. A total of £28 million has been allocated to the programme in 1999, an increase of £7 million over 1998.

My Department and the local authorities are committed to working in close co-operation with the private group scheme sector to ensure that the deficiencies identified in the EPA report are tackled in a properly planned and efficient manner.