Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 2

Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

118 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the submission sent to his Department from Galway County Council requesting funding for the extension to the Woodpark area of the new Portumna sewerage scheme; the costs of such a provision; if the preliminary costings of the original scheme included this part of the town; if other areas served by the new provision were included in the original design; his intentions in view of the fact that Galway County Council has requested provision of an extension to this part of the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20057/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

A proposal to service the Woodpark Road area as an extension of the Portumna sewerage scheme was received in my Department last March from Galway County Council. An estimated costing of £263,085 has since been submitted. No part of the proposal was included in the preliminary reports or contract documents for the main scheme which I approved to go to construction in July 1998. Further consideration will be given to the proposed Woodpark Road extension on receipt of certain information which the Department has requested from the council.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

119 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will provide the resources to overcome the staffing difficulties which are preventing the taking in charge of group water schemes by Limerick County Council. [20126/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

It is a matter for the county council to provide the resources necessary to meet its needs in this area. Local authority income to meet such costs would, in the main, comprise income from rates, fees and charges for goods and services and general purpose grants. As a result of increased allocations which I have made in recent years from the Local Government (Equalisation) Fund and the Local Government Fund, local authorities will be greatly assisted in meeting any additional costs arising in this area. It is, of course, a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities having regard to resources available. I would point out that I am not aware of any staffing difficulties in relation to this matter in Limerick County Council.