asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make the final payments in respect of the Moneygall-Dunkerrin group water scheme, County Offaly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
22.
A total of 241 grants have been allocated for the scheme referred to by the Deputy. My Department has now paid a further 27 grants bringing the total number of grants paid to 227. The remaining 14 grants will be paid when all outstanding work on the scheme has been satisfactorily completed.
The trustees of the group scheme have been in contact with me and the bank is pressing them for payment. I think the Minister will know that both Tipperary and Offaly County Councils are involved here as well. Therefore, I should be glad if his Department could effect payment as soon as possible.
I should like to assure Deputy Connolly that I was mixed up in a number of group schemes myself. I am aware of the difficulty being experienced with regard to bank overdrafts. But there are major things outstanding, such as the erection of a pump house and the installation of plumbing in 20 of the houses, the provision of valve chambers and so on. There is no point in telling Deputy Connolly that grants will be paid soon because they cannot be paid until such things are completed. There are 14 grants only withheld. Therefore, I would ask Deputy Connolly to try to persuade the people who are running the scheme to have this work done so that the grants may be paid.
Is the Minister aware, as I have been informed, that these people owe about £10,000 to the bank?
There might be a balance due from the local authorities which would help them out. I suggest that Deputy Connolly might approach the local authority in this respect.
I am not on Tipperary County Council. I am on Offaly County Council and, as far as Offaly is concerned, there seems to be some slow down on the Tipperary end of it. I should be very grateful if the Minister would get on to them.
I will do that. But, if Deputy Connolly were to send a letter to them there might be a surprising reaction.
23.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction the raising of a loan of £8,160 by Kildare County Council to enable them to pay a contribution towards the Narraghmore-Lipstown group water scheme.
I have recently sanctioned the raising of this loan.
24.
asked the Minister for Local Government when the grants will be paid in respect of the Caherkeem group water supply scheme near Castletownbere, County Cork.
The design of this scheme is with Cork County Council for formal approval. On being notified of that approval, I shall be in a position to allocate the grants.
Would the Minister say whether or not he has received any plans in respect of this scheme from the local engineer or from some engineer on behalf of the local group water supply people?
No, sir, no letter. We have telephoned the council and they said they would let us have it in a few days. As Deputy O'Leary knows, it is only a small scheme and, if the county council would send it along, there would be no delay.
25.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction the proposal for the extension of the West Clare regional water supply scheme to Moreen, Fiord and Kilbaha.
I am not yet in a position to sanction this scheme, the contract documents for which are under consideration in my Department.
26.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ascertain from Kerry County Council whether plans are in hands for the establishment of a sewerage system for Portmagee, County Kerry and, if so, when work on it is likely to commence.
Amended proposals for this scheme were recently submitted to my Department and are being examined. However, having regard to the relative priority accorded this scheme by Kerry County Council, I cannot say when work on it is likely to commence.
Is the Minister aware that there is a proposal by Kerry County Council for a new housing scheme in Portmagee? If so, would he bear this in mind and sanction the proposed sewerage scheme as soon as possible?
The position is that it occupies eighth place on the county council's integrated priority list. Unless the county council themselves are able to bring it up higher on the list, there is nothing I can do about it.
27.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ascertain from Kerry County Council whether plans are in hands for the provision of a sewerage system for Castlemaine, County Kerry and if work will be commenced on it in the near future.
I understand that Kerry County Council have proposals for a scheme for Castlemaine, but that they have not accorded the scheme a high priority. In the circumstances I cannot say when work on it might commence.
I wonder if the Minister could bring the importance of this to bear on Kerry County Council? For ten years we have been seeking to get a sewerage scheme implemented there. At present the sewers are passing through an open drain in the village.
I suggest that Deputy O'Connor might talk to the chairman of Kerry County Council to see if he can get any change from him.
But, because there are open sewers at present, I would ask the Minister again if he can do anything in the matter.
There is nothing I can do because this item is tenth on the list of the county council's priorities. Perhaps Deputy O'Connor as chairman of Kerry County Council can do something about it.