Vol. 478 No. 2
77 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Environment when approval to proceed with already sanctioned upgrading work will issue to Loop Head and Kilbaha group water scheme, County Clare; the reason for the delays experienced to date; and the role, if any, the local authority has in the matter. [10824/97]
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 already been approved, such as the Loop Head and Kilbaha scheme, the local authority will issue the grant allocation to the group as soon as possible.Block grant allocations were notified to local authorities on 26 March 1997 which take into account the commitments made.
78 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Environment the amount of the recently promised investment in the Lisdoonvarna water and sewerage schemes which will be expended in 1997; the works which will be undertaken; whether the works will be financed by national or EU sources; and the current position on the Burren and north Clare cohesion funding application.[10825/97]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 112 and 132 of 11 March 1997. No decision has so far been received on the application for Cohesion Fund assistance for this project. Expenditure incurred in 1997 by the local authority on the preparation of contract documents and related planning matters will be financed out of Exchequer resources, pending the decision by the European Commission.It is not possible at this stage to give an accurate figure for this expenditure.
