Vol. 419 No. 5
186 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give an up to date report on the Ballagh/Killrooskey group water scheme in County Roscommon; if he will outline when his Department will sanction the grant to allow the construction of this scheme to commence.
The group's proposal is to serve up to 56 households at an estimated cost of £281,679. Based on current membership, group water scheme grants are estimated at £57,700. While it would be possible to consider approving standard grants of £700 per house and £500 per farm, it would not be practicable for my Department to contribute further to this high unit cost scheme in present budgetary circumstances.
187 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a group water scheme for Fairymount, Castlerea, County Roscommon, involving 200 households, has been awaiting sanction in his Department for the past three years without any response from him; and if he will outline the action, if any, he intends to take to ensure that work on this urgently needed scheme can commence this summer.
Having regard to the existing level of commitments under the group water scheme programme, I am not in a position to indicate when there may be a decision on the Fairymount scheme.
188 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his proposals for the future funding of group water schemes.
Group water scheme grants of up to £700 per house and £500 per farm are payable to schemes in mainland areas. Higher grants are available on offshore islands and Gaeltacht areas. I have no proposal to alter these financial arrangements at this time.
189 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if, in relation to the £2 million provided to group water schemes in 1992, he will outline whether this money is in respect of schemes already sanctioned; and if so, if he will further outline the position in relation to new schemes in the course of preparation.
Funding was provided in the current year to finance grant expenditure on a number of schemes already sanctioned as well as schemes awaiting approval. Schemes in the course of preparation will be considered for grant approval in the light of the available funding.
190 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the up to date position in relation to the Kilnaclasha group water supply scheme stage II; and when he expects to be in a position to approve the scheme so that work can commence.
Having regard to the existing level of commitments under the group water scheme programme, I am not in a position to indicate when there may be a decision on the Kilnaclasha stage II scheme.
