Vol. 535 No. 2
176 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has for the funding of a regional water scheme to include the parish of Aughrim and parts of Clontuskert not already covered by a group scheme, such as Ballagh, Gurteenaveela and other townlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12456/01]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the Ballinasloe regional water supply scheme. This scheme was fourth on the list of water schemes submitted by Galway County Council in 1999 in response to my Department's request to local authorities to undertake a fresh assessment of the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessment. The priority lists were taken into account in the framing of the Water Services Investment Programme 2000-2002 announced in July 2000. Given the priority afforded to the scheme by the council, the level of competing demand and the funding available, it was not possible to include it in the programme at that time. The scheme is fifth in the council's revised priority list of water schemes received in my Department last January.
