Vol. 519 No. 7
9 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will provide the necessary funding to enable Finuge, County Kerry, sewerage scheme to go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14760/00]
This scheme is 33rd on the list of projects submitted by Kerry County Council in response to my Department's request for local authorities to undertake fresh assessments of the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priority lists will be taken into account in the framing of water services investment under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006. I hope to announce a three year investment programme for the years 2000 to 2002 within the next few weeks.
Finuge is now the only village in Kerry without a sewage treatment facility. The village has a population of about 200 people and is the home of Siamsa Tíre, the national folk theatre. Finuge is three miles from Listowel which has a population of 4,000 and 12 miles from Tralee which has a population of about 20,000. Surely the Minister would agree that a village of this importance should have a sewerage scheme at this stage?
I am sure that Finuge is very important, not least because it has some famous inhabitants.
Renowned inhabitants.
Members of Kerry County Council deem it to be no more important than No. 33 on the list and I have to take that into account. However, by way of being helpful to the Deputy, Kerry County Council will receive grants for small sewerage schemes. The estimated cost of the Finuge scheme is about £400,000 so it is over the limit of £250,000. However, the council could submit the proposal under the small sewerage schemes programme and operate the scheme over a two or three year period. If the lack of a scheme is holding up proposals for housing or other developments, the council might consider submitting the proposal under the rural towns and villages initiative or the serviced land initiative. As it stands it will not qualify for the investment programme because of its number.
The council might also consider submitting the scheme under the constructed wetlands scheme which is a pilot scheme operated by the Department under which we are trying to encourage environmentally friendly solutions to problems of waste water and sewage.
I thank the Minister for his suggestions and advice which I will follow up. Would he agree that as an instrument for rural development, sewage treatment facilities are critical for rural Ireland? Will he expand on this aspect of rural development policy? He has said this in the past and I agree with him. If a village such as Finuge had a sewage treatment system, the totality of the townland could be developed instead of road frontage development only. This is the major issue.
I agree with the Deputy. This is why the rural towns and villages initiative regarding water and sewerage schemes was introduced last year. The Deputy is correct that the tendency regarding roads and housing developments has been to start in Dublin and move outwards. I accept that development will not take place in towns and villages if there is no infrastructure. This is why the rural towns and villages initiative was put in place. We are trying to improve the funds available for small sewerage schemes, which will be the direct responsibility of local authorities, and the options I mentioned. It is most important for rural development and the Government will try to continue to make as much money as possible available for it.
The Minister is using my lines again.
Great minds think alike.
Fianna Fáil always catches up in time.
