Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Nov 1994

Vol. 446 No. 6

Written Answers. - County Offaly Water Scheme.

Pat Gallagher

Ceist:

131 Mr. Gallagher (Laoighis-Offaly) asked the Minister for the Environment in relation to the proposed Coolfin group water scheme, County Offaly, if the costing for the scheme have been completed; if the scheme will require top-up funding to allow it to proceed; whether top-up funding is available through the community support framework; whether this scheme is included in the community support framework; the priority, if any, being given to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2719/94]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

The cost of this 18-house scheme has been estimated by my Department at £115,500. This includes a cost of £25,000 for the upsized watermains requested by Offaly County Council. This high-cost scheme is not financially viable on the basis of standard group water scheme grants of £19,100 and would require a substantial supplementary grant.

My Department will be examining the Coolfin proposal in the context of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994-1999, which is intended to provided European Regional Development Fund Structural fund support for certain group water schemes which contribute to the economic development of rural areas.