asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that 40 farmers of Ballyguin and Cappagh (in the Cloghane, Castlegregory district) are entitled to a £100 grant for piped water supply, but that as there is no water supply available they are willing to pool these grants so that a supply may be made available to the district; and, if so, whether he will arrange that a supply of water is made available, the installation of which would cost much less than the total of the grants in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Castlegregory Water Supply Grants.
Mr. Walsh
I am not so aware, and I would remind the Deputy that the provision of public water supplies is a matter for the local authorities.
What is asked in the question is whether the Minister would sanction pooling the grants which are available to a number of farmers in the area.
Mr. Walsh
Sanctioning the pooling of grants—for what purpose?
For the purpose of providing the water supply.
Mr. Walsh
The supplying of the water is a matter for local authorities and this scheme has nothing whatever to do with a public water supply. It is a grant primarily for the purpose of conveying the water from the supply to the farmer's kitchen.
If half a dozen farmers get a supply by installing a ram, are they not entitled to pool and go into it as a joint enterprise and get the water conveyed to their own houses in that way? They have not to set down six separate supplies. I think that is what the Deputy is getting at.
Mr. Walsh
No, no. I think Deputy Blowick meant if a group of farmers came together to sink a well.
Yes.
Mr. Walsh
That is a matter for the local authority.
There are 40 farmers mentioned here, each of whom would qualify for the £100 grant. In this case, if they pooled, as we are told in the last paragraph of the question, the job could be done cheaper.
Mr. Walsh
Once the water is provided, it is a matter for the farmer to apply for the grant. They are entitled to a grant, up to 50 per cent. of the cost, with a maximum of £100.
If the farmer used the grant to get the source to provide water, and do the piping also, would the grant be sanctioned then?
Mr. Walsh
No, unless previously authorised.
Will the Minister say why?
Mr. Walsh
The finding of water for a public supply of water is a matter for the local authority. The conveyance of the water from that source is a matter for the Department of Agriture scheme.