Contract documents for stage four of the north east Kerry, Listowel, water supply scheme were submitted to my Department in 1991 but have not been approved. It has not been possible to advance the scheme in the absence of a reliable water supply which will depend on completion of phase two of the north east Kerry water conservation project. Proposals to advance phase two are under consideration in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
The Listowel scheme is first 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 need for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of these assessments. The priority lists will be taken into account in the framing of water services investment for this and future years under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006. It is slightly higher on the list than the last time the Deputy asked about it.