asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that Sneem and Rathmore have been awaiting a sewerage scheme during the past 16 years; that Milltown has neither a water nor a sewerage scheme; that the villages of Gneeveguilla, Barraduff, Scartaglin, Farranfore, Currow, Firies, Dungeagan and Portmagee are similarly handicapped; that Cross Roads requires a water supply by an extension of the pipe-line from Killowen cottages, Kenmare; that the residents of Gortamullen, Reen, Greenane and Templenoe along the main Kenmare-Sneem road are in dire need of a water supply; that an extension of the Sneem water supply is required by the residents of New Street near the village; and, if so, whether he will urge on the local authority that these schemes be carried out soon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Water and Sewerage Schemes.
The initiation of water supply and sewerage proposals is a matter for the local authority in the first instance, and in formulating a programme of sanitation works, local authorities are guided by the recommendations of the county health officers as to the relative degree of urgency of the schemes to be undertaken. The Kerry County Council, in common with other local authorities, have based their programme on these lines. Preliminary plans, etc., for a sewerage scheme at Sneem were submitted to the Department in March, 1946. This scheme was placed No. 15 in order of urgency of sanitation works for County Kerry on list prepared on 11th January, 1947, following request from the Department as to the order of relative urgency of Sneem. It will be some time yet before this scheme can be reached. Rathmore sewerage occupies the twelfth place on the urgency list. Milltown sewerage is placed No. 16 on this list and the carrying out of this scheme will be conditional on effecting prior improvements to the water supply. I have no information in regard to the other places mentioned, with the exception of proposed extension of Sneem water supply to New Street. This proposal has been the subject of correspondence with the local authority following demands received from residents. The latest report from the local authority, dated 18th of October last, indicates that the work is held up owing to delay in obtaining pipes.