Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 9

Written Answers. - County Sligo Water Supply Scheme.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

91 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to (1) the fact that, with an output capability of 220,000 gallons per day, the north Sligo regional water supply scheme, which dates from 1960, cannot meet the existing demands of the area irrespective of the way it is controlled and (2) the fact that a new water source, balancing tanks and other major developments specified in the augmentation water scheme, submitted by Sligo County Council to his Department in 1986, are needed before an adequate supply can be made available to existing householders in the area for which this scheme is the water source; if, in view of these facts, he will give priority to getting the augmentation water scheme started; and if he will provide the necessary funding to have the work started forthwith.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

104 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the details of the works proposed in the augmentation water scheme to the north Sligo regional water supply scheme submitted by Sligo County Council to his Department in 1986; the total cost of the scheme; when it is planned to start this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

105 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the exceptional difficulties being experienced in the Carney/ Drumcliffe areas and also in Maugherow and Bunduff areas of County Sligo because of the inadequacy of the north Sligo regional water supply scheme in meeting present day demands; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that particularly in the Carney and Gortarowey areas houses are frequently without any water at all and that last year there was no supply for up to three weeks on one occasion; and if, in view of these facts, he will immediately sanction finance for the augmentation water scheme for the north Sligo regional water supply scheme which has been with his Department from Sligo County Council since 1986.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

106 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the total inadequacy of the north Sligo regional water supply scheme, which dates from 1960, to meeting the present day demands of this area with its fast growing population; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that (1) the total capabilities of this scheme are only 220,000 gallons per day and the existing demand is at least double that (2) the lack of adequate water supply is causing severe hardships for the families in the wide area covered by the scheme and (3) it is inhibiting development in agriculture and in tourism in this highly popular tourist area; and if, in view of these facts, he will immediately make the finance available for the augmentation scheme for the north Sligo regional water supply scheme, which is with his Department since 1986.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 104, 105 and 106 together.

I am aware of the difficulties in regard to water supply in the north Sligo area.

Contract documents for the augmentation of the north Sligo regional water supply scheme have been under consideration in my Department. Having regard to the existing level of commitments and competing demands within the water and sanitary services programme, it is not possible to anticipate when a decision may issue to the council.