asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the residents of Ballinacurra, County Cork, have been continually deprived of water for many days together; that the large malting business of Messrs. J.H. Bennett & Company, Limited, employing a large number of hands at this season has been repeatedly held up for want of the necessary water for malting purposes; that plans were submitted to the Department of Local Government and Public Health for an improvement in the supply as far back as the 9th July, 1936; and, if in view of the hardship and inconvenience caused, he will state when sanction will be given to the South Cork Board of Health for a loan to provide a more satisfactory water supply to the district.

Representations to the effect contained in the first and second portions of the Deputy's question were made to the Department recently by the board of health. The plans for an improvement scheme submitted to this Department in September, 1936, could not be approved until the board of health furnished detailed information requested on the 16th October, 1936, as to the adequacy of the source and the necessity for relaying the whole of the distribution system. This information was not fully supplied until January last. The results of pressure tests were only received in October last, and a decision on the matter will be sent to the board of health as soon as possible. The Department will make any recommendations that may be found possible for the temporary improvement of the supply pending the carrying out of the new scheme.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when a decision will be come to in this matter?

As soon as possible.

It is very urgent.