Vol. 466 No. 8
27 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the major financial burden being placed on small urban councils as a result of the running costs of modern main drainage schemes; the plans, if any, he has to give financial assistance to these councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10541/96]
I am aware that the costs of operating and maintaining modern sewage treatment works can be quite significant for local authorities, particularly some urban authorities. Exchequer funding is not provided specifically to meet these costs which have to be met from local authorities' own resources, including income from local service charges, together with the rate support grant. The costs involved have been taken into account in the deliberation of the Local Government Reorganisation Commission and in the consultancy study on local finance; it is intended that the two reports will be published before the end of this month.
