John Ellis
Ceist:142 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment when he proposes to introduce legislation to allow for payment to group water schemes to allay the cost of provision of water. [5081/97]
Written Answers. - Group Water Schemes.
New legislation will not be required as section 26 of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948, provides statutory authority for payment by local authorities of the new subsidy towards the operational costs of group water schemes in supplying water for domestic use. Full details of the subsidy scheme will be notified to the local authorities following my forthcoming meeting with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes.
Noel Treacy
Ceist:143 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for the Environment the reason payment has not issued to date for a project (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the serious financial crisis being created for this project due to his Department's failure to discharge its legal obligation to pay this grant; the date on which this will be done; the amount to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9526/97]
Noel Treacy
Ceist:144 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for the Environment the reason payment has not issued to date for a project (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the serious financial crisis being created for this project due to his Department's failure to discharge its obligation to pay this grant; the date on which this will be done; the amount to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9527/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.
As already announced, responsibility for the administration of the group schemes programme has been devolved to the local authorities, subject to existing commitments on foot of approvals issued by my Department. Where schemes have already been approved, such as the Boula No. 2 and Traskernagh group water schemes, the local authority will issue the grant allocation to the groups concerned as soon as possible. Block grant allocations were notified to local authorities on 26 March 1997 taking into account the commitments made.
Noel Treacy
Ceist:145 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for the Environment the reason payment has not issued to date for a project (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the serious financial crisis being created for this project due to his Department's failure to discharge its obligation to pay this grant; the date on which this will be done; and the amount to be paid. [9528/97]
As already announced, responsibility for the administration of the group schemes programme is being devolved to the local authorities, subject to existing commitments on foot of approvals issued by my Department. Where schemes have already been approved, such as the Ballygarraun scheme, the local authority will issue the grant allocations to the group as soon as possible. Block grant allocations were notified to the local authorities on 26 March 1997, taking into account the commitments made.
Noel Treacy
Ceist:146 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for the Environment if he will sanction a project (details supplied) in County Galway; the date on which this will be done; the amount to be allocated to this project in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9529/97]
As already announced, responsibility for the administration of the group schemes programme has been devolved to the local authorities, subject to existing commitments on foot of approvals issued by my Department. Where schemes have not been approved, including the Looscaun scheme, it will in future be a matter for the local authorities to decide grant allocations.