asked the Minister for Health the number of places where fluoridation of water is taking place at the present time; what is the position in regard to the remainder of the country; if tenders have been invited; and, if so, when they will be accepted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fluoridation of Water.
32.
Mr. O'Malley
Eleven public water supplies, serving 912,000 persons out of an approximate total of 1,550,000 people on piped water supplies, are fluoridated at present and two other supplies, serving 41,000 persons, are expected to be fluoridated within the next few weeks.
Tenders for the supply and installation of fluoridation equipment at six supplies have recently been approved by the Minister for Local Government and tenders have been sought by local authorities in respect of 27 other supplies. A number of the latter tenders have already been submitted to the Minister for Local Government for his covering sanction to their acceptance.
Is the Minister not aware that certain local authorities inserted advertisements in newspapers asking for tenders for these works as far back as September, 1965, and that nothing further was heard up to last week? Since that time, certain changes in design and equipment have taken place which would enable the work to be carried out more efficiently and at a much lower cost. Does the Minister intend to sanction these tenders or what does he propose to do about this?
Mr. O'Malley
I could not possibly answer the Deputy's supplementary. Apart from being technical matters, I would want notice. I presume the Deputy is particularly interested in the Longford, Newtownforbes, Drumlish and Lanesboro area?
Yes.
Mr. O'Malley
Tenders have been invited there and my understanding is that sanction will be given very shortly.
Clare County Council asked for tenders and the closing date was 5/8/'65. Tenders have not been sanctioned so far. Ballinasloe asked on 10/1/'66 and the tenders have not been sanctioned. Longford asked on 24/2/'66. Does the Minister believe it right for a public authority to ask for tenders, get people sufficiently interested to submit tenders and then leave them waiting six or eight months in the dark? Is it the Minister's intention to sanction cases, some of which have been outstanding for nine months? Is it due to shortage of money, or what, that they have not been sanctioned?
That is a good reason.
Mr. O'Malley
I do not wish to inflict on the House the very detailed supplementary information I have on this. If the Deputy has specific cases in connection with which he wants to elicit further information, I will be glad to oblige him. Generally speaking, there is very little delay in regard to these matters. I am delighted to see the Deputy's conversion and interest in having fluoridation throughout the country generally.
I should like to inform the Minister that I happen to have been a member of the Commission that sat at that time.