Vol. 462 No. 8
132 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment when the plans and applications were submitted to his Department for a regional water scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the stages of the application that have been processed to date. [5463/96]
The original proposal for the Westport regional water supply scheme was made to my Department in 1985. My Department submitted an application for Cohesion Fund assistance for the scheme in November 1994 and a decision is awaited.
With a view to meeting urgent industrial and tourism needs in Westport town, Mayo County Council have recently submitted revised proposals to my Department. These are now being examined.
133 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment when the plans and applications were submitted to his Department for a regional sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the stages of the application that have been processed to date. [5464/96]
145 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for the Environment when he will appoint a inspector to carry out an inquiry into the compulsory purchase order proceedings for Westport sewerage scheme, County Mayo in view of the fact that planning permission has been granted by the local authority for pumping stations. [5650/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 145 together.
The preliminary report for the Westport sewerage scheme was submitted to my Department in May 1992. The proposal subsequently underwent environmental impact assessment and was certified for this purpose, subject to a number of conditions, by the then Minister for the environment in October 1993.
My Department submitted an application for Cohesion Fund assistance for the project in June 1993, and a decision approving planning and design expenditure of £2,209,600 was received in April 1994. Mayo County Council are at present preparing detailed contract documents for the scheme.
134 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, that has been made to increase the level of grants for group sewerage schemes since the query on this matter by Deputy Liam Aylward was made in October 1995. [5488/96]
I hope to finalise consideration of this matter shortly.
135 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the near crisis situation affecting the supply of water to many Dublin homes; when the strict management regime, known as throttling will cease in view of the fact there are many parts of Terenure, Crumlin, Drimnagh, Walkinstown, The Tenters and the South Circular Road in Dublin where pressure is turned down so low as to effectively deprive residents of any water supply; and when he intends to sanction the necessary resources to allow the local authorities concerned to remedy this situation. [5489/96]
A major investment programme is under way to develop the water supply infrastructure in the Dublin area. Expenditure in 1995 amounted to almost £18.5 million. The 1996 water services work programme provides for further investment in the region, including the continuation of the extensive refurbishment programme in Dún Laoghaire and a further phase of the major expansion and refurbishment of the Leixlip water treatment plant. All significant infrastructural improvements of this kind benefit the entire Dublin water supply system, which is an integrated one. An intensive water conservation programme for Dublin will also be commenced this year.
I intend to publish the major strategic study on the Dublin region water supply very shortly. This will provide a framework for the future management of Dublin's water resources and for investment over the next ten years.
136 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has received proposals from Mayo County Council to provide for a new main to supply water to Rakestreet, Crossmolina, County Mayo, under the small schemes in view of the poor supply which the existing outdated main is supplying. [5495/96]
No such application has been received by my Department under the small schemes programme.
