Vol. 547 No. 1
707 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to increase the group sewerage scheme grants to the equivalent of the group water scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2973/02]
771 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will increase the grant assistance for group sewerage schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2061/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 771 together.
I recently approved a recommendation of the national rural water monitoring committee for a pilot programme to test a range of small-scale waste water collection and treatment systems at a number of locations around the country. Subject to a satisfactory outcome to the pilot testing, the committee envisages a potential role for group sewerage schemes in the collection of domestic wastewater from households outside the immediate catchment of the new treatment systems. Confirmation of such a role for group sewerage schemes, and any review of the related grants, must await the results of the pilot programme.
