Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 1

Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.

John McGuinness

Question:

308 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department's engineer has consulted with Kilkenny County Council regarding the Castlewarren group water scheme, County Kilkenny; if so, the progress being made to fund and deliver the scheme; and if he will confirm the position to Kilkenny County Council as soon as possible. [18762/01]

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

Under the devolved rural water programme, the provision of grant aid to individual group water schemes is a matter for the local authorities from their annual block grant allocations from my Department.

In the case of the Castlewarren scheme, the Department's analysis indicates that the projected domestic demand accounts for less than 10% of the overall design demand for the scheme. The very high level of non-domestic demand has substantial cost implications for the scheme. Group water scheme grants are intended to assist the cost of providing domestic piped water supplies only. Additional costs relating to non-domestic supplies must be met by the users concerned.

Kilkenny County Council will need to examine the design data and costings for the scheme to determine the appropriate level of capital contribution required from non-domestic users and to ensure the viability of the proposal.