Noel Dempsey
Ceist:14 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to increase the levels of grant payment to individuals participating in group sewerage schemes. [16277/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Group Sewerage Schemes.
Earlier this year, I announced significant increases of more than 100 per cent in group water scheme grants, the first such increases since 1985. This reflects the priority given to water-related works within the group schemes programme.
While proposals are only infrequently made to my Department for group sewerage schemes, I intend also to review the grant levels for these schemes and, in the light of the outcome, to pursue appropriate proposals with my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
I welcome the Minister's reply. I believe the reason there are not too many group sewerage scheme applications is the level of the grant which is at about £500. This matter is urgent particularly in counties which have experienced a huge development boom over the last ten or 15 years. It would be most beneficial, to public health apart from anything else, if the Minister would expedite that matter, give it his full attention and perhaps announce something early next year.
The Deputy will be aware that very shortly after becoming Minister I addressed the issue of water grants and there was a general welcome across the House for the very substantial increase in the provision. I immediately began to examine the problem of sewerage. I have to tread a little more carefully here not only because of the volumes but also because of the environmental impact of sewerage schemes, the benefits of which are not as clear-cut as those of group water schemes. I do not want to do anything that would facilitate the putting in of a sewerage facility that would prove to be an environmental hazard in a couple of years. I am examining the situation.
Initially the Minister might consider increasing the funding for groups that are anxious to connect to existing county council or local authority schemes.
It would be difficult to make fish of one and fowl of another. If I increase the funding, I must increase it for everybody. I am in discussions with technical people about alternatives to such schemes. New technology exists to allow for very long distance connections to sewerage schemes with good volume pumps and narrow piping which might be a much more environmentally effective way of dealing with the issue.
Would the Minister not agree that, although a substantial amount of money has been provided for group water schemes, there is still a very big backlog, especially where treatment works are required in second phase schemes? There is a need for much more funding than is being provided. Will the Minister agree that in a small village where there is no local authority housing, the cost of sewerage schemes can be a real problem? Tydavnet, a village in County Monaghan, will be compelled if it introduces a scheme to pipe it three or four miles to the Monaghan treatment works as it would not be possible to treat it there because of the rivers and lakes in that area.
I am heartily disappointed that an increase of more than 100 per cent could not elicit a good response from Deputy Leonard.
I appreciate it.
I wonder what volume of increase would get a compliment. The grants for group water schemes had not been increased since 1985. I have more than doubled them. It is a significant advance that should at least be acknowledged.
The Minister did not give all the money to Cavan-Monaghan.
That is the money that Albert left.
Regarding the other matter, I am not sure I agree with the Deputy regarding the pumping of sewage. I would be much more inclined, from an environmental perspective, to prefer pumping, if it is technologically possible. It certainly is possible according to research undertaken in places like Austria and Switzerland where small communities, even small clusters of houses, pump their sewage to a central collection point ten or 15 miles away with individual pumps rather than having septic tanks or small treatment plants. If we can provide secondary or tertiary treatment at a collection point and an effective and efficient way of pumping sewage to it, we might be moving in a much more environmentally progressive way than by providing individual sewage treatment plants.
I respect the Minister's wish to have in place the most environmentally sound sewerage schemes but I urge him to consider options that are not as yet rooted in the discipline of civil engineering such as reedbed sewage treatment which has proven effective in Wales, producing a raw material and extremely clean water. I urge the Minister not to be taken by the solution of the civil engineers which does not always represent value for money.
I agree with the Deputy's view, and we are piloting a reedbed treatment scheme this year.
Will the Minister accept that the time has come to regulate and control ribbon development and that in the past there has been reckless proliferation of planning permissions for buildings with septic tanks? The effect of that on the quality of our water can no longer be ignored. The time has come to give serious consideration to the matter.
I agree to some extent with the Deputy's views and I speak from two perspectives on this matter. We have decided to adopt a national sustainable development strategy, a significant component of which will involve a national land use policy which is being devised in my Department in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and other relevant Departments. My experience as a member of a local authority in County Wexford is that good planning is hindered by people wishing to live where they want to — they argue that they own the land and are entitled to build on it. This is a very tricky matter——
I accept that.
——but we must have a rational and sustainable strategy that does not burden the environment. That is the main thrust of what I want to achieve under the national sustainable development strategy which will be replicated in plans at local level. I hope local representatives follow through on the general desire not to overburden the environment.