asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position regarding the Castletownshend/ Castlehaven water supply scheme, County Cork, in respect of which proposals with an estimated cost of £150,000 have been lodged in the Department; and when financial provision will be made and sanction given for the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
9.
The local authority's proposals for this scheme must be considered in the context of the amount of capital available for water and sewerage schemes and the number of such projects in progress or getting to construction at the present time. I cannot say when I will be in a position to approve this scheme, contract documents for which were submitted on 12 December 1978 and are at present under consideration in my Department.
The question of finance for the scheme will not arise until the scheme has been fully planned and approved.
10.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that Galway County Council are in dire need of financial assistance to carry out their regional water schemes programme.
I am not so aware. At present Galway County Council have 5 water schemes estimated to cost approximately £2.5 million either in progress or getting to construction. Despite this level of activity which compares favourably with other areas, I am aware that the council has a large programme of other water schemes in planning which it is anxious to get to construction. I will take due account of this when their high priority schemes, including those required to facilitate group scheme development, are fully planned and approved.
Is the Minister aware that at the present rate of allocation to Galway County Council it would take approximately 20 years to complete their present water programme?
Question No. 11.
Give him a chance to answer it, a Cheann Comhairle.
Galway have done quite well over the years by comparison to other local authorities where group water schemes are concerned.
Other counties must have done rather badly.
Galway did better than most counties.
11.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the lack of liaison that exists between Department staff and county council staff in the formulation of group water schemes; and if he is further aware of the need for a central group water scheme office in County Galway, staffed by county council officials and by Department officials, to facilitate the promotion of group water schemes in County Galway.
I am not so aware. It is the long-standing policy of my Department to seek the maximum possible involvement and co-operation of county councils in all stages of group water schemes. It is standard practice for copies of documentation relating to the various phases of such schemes to be sent to the relevant local authorities. Furthermore, regular meetings—usually once a month—take place between my Department's local inspectors and Galway County Council's liaison officer for group schemes. The success of group water schemes in County Galway indicates that my Department and Galway County Council have generally cooperated effectively in assisting and advising groups. I might add for the Deputy's information that it is hoped to have an early meeting between officials of my Department and the county council to discuss the existing arrangements, and the question of the need, if any, for a central office on the lines suggested may then be raised.
I am very much aware of the amount of good work that has been done in County Galway. Is the Minister aware that it is necessary to have a central office where the Department and the local authority officials can work so that promoters of water schemes can go there for information? At present they are being sent from Billy to Jack and in many cases find it hard to communicate with those in charge.
I agree with the Deputy. I did say that it could come up for consideration. It would make it far easier for promoters if they could do all their business in the one spot.
Is it possible that since this matter has been raised the Minister might let me know the result of the forthcoming meeting?
I will. This matter can be considered.
Thank you.
12.
asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position regarding the proposed regional water scheme at Loughrea, County Galway.
I understand that the local authority are presently in the process of acquiring the water rights to the proposed source of supply.
13.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he expects to approve the consultant's preliminary report in respect of the Bride Valley, Cork, water supply scheme, submitted to him on 15 September 1978; and, if so, when.
The preliminary proposals for this scheme are at present being examined in my Department and I hope to be in a position shortly to convey a decision thereon to the local authority.
14.
asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position regarding sanction and finance for the Skibbereen sewerage scheme, County Cork, and its likely commencement date.
The local authority's proposals for this scheme must be considered in the context of the amount of capital available for water and sewerage schemes and the large number of such projects in progress or getting to construction at the present time. I cannot say when I will be in a position to approve the scheme, contract documents for which are under consideration in my Department.
The question of finance for the scheme will not arise until it has been fully planned and approved.