asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position in respect of the following sewerage schemes in County Tipperary, and when sanction will be given for the commencement of the work in each: (i) Ballynonty, Thurles, (ii) Ballyrichard, Mullinahone, (iii) Drangan, (iv) Dundrum, (v) The Commons, and (vi) Emly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Sewerage Schemes.
2.
There are no proposals before my Department for sewerage schemes for Ballynonty, Thurles, or for Ballyrichard, Mullinahone.
Sewerage schemes for Drangan and The Commons have been included in the Tipperary (SR) County Council's 1980 small schemes programme for which I have recently made an allocation of £75,000. It is for the council to decide which of the small schemes included in the programme will be constructed out of this allocation.
Contract documents in respect of Dundrum Sewerage Scheme and preliminary proposals for Emly Sewerage Scheme are under consideration in my Department. I am not in a position to say when decisions thereon may issue to the local authority.
Is the Minister aware that the sewerage schemes to which I refer and those which are with his Department, are of urgent necessity and that the situation in respect of the communities concerned represents a serious health hazard? Is he further aware that it has been made a condition that sewerage schemes be implemented as a prerequisite to the carrying out of housing schemes in the places like Drangan and other areas? In the circumstances is he satisfied that the allocation of money to which he refers is adequate to commence the implementation of the sewerage schemes to which I refer?
The answer to the first part of the question is that it does not apply because they have not been received by my Department. The other schemes are under active consideration.
Could the Minister not give some hope to the people I represent?
There is always hope with me.
Some hope that the allocation of money would be made available quite soon? Can the Minister not be more precise in indicating when he will sanction the allocation of moneys required? Surely we cannot go on long-fingering important schemes of this kind where the health of the community is at stake?
We have already made an allocation of £75,000 to Tipperary South Riding County Council. It is a matter for the local authorities to decide how to spend that money. In regard to the other schemes mentioned, these are under active consideration. I shall bear the Deputy's remarks in mind.
May I ask the Minister if he has available figures in respect of the costings of the schemes with him in his Department at this time?
No.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, would he not agree that £75,000 is totally inadequate to implement any of these schemes? Would he indicate to the House how much money has been allocated by his Department for the carrying out of these schemes?
All I can say in reply to the Deputy's question is that his constituency got more than Offaly. I can assure the Deputy of that. If the Deputy puts down a question on that I shall let him have all the information in regard to every county council.
Is that the Minister of State who is speaking?
I am not responsible for the poor allocation the Offaly County Council have.
I give everyone fair play.
The Minister is now making a sizeable cutback in the local improvement grants.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
That is the way I handle matters.
Would Deputy Griffin please be permitted to ask his supplementary question?
I am not responsible for the poor representation that the County Offaly electorate get in this House.
That is not the way for the Deputy to treat his colleague.
I am responsible to the electorate in South Tipperary, together with my colleague, Deputy Treacy. Would the Minister indicate the specific amount allocated to South Tipperary for these schemes?
The small schemes allocation was £75,000. It is a matter for the local authority to decide how to spend the money.
That would not take much consideration.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister state how much money was involved in the schemes mentioned?
I have not got that information. I told Deputy Treacy so.
Will the Minister give an assurance that a further allocation of money will be available for sewerage schemes in County Tipperary?
I cannot give the Deputy any such assurance.
There is no money.
I am not saying there is no money but I am telling the Deputy I cannot give him the assurance he seeks.
The Minister is sidestepping the issue.