asked the Minister for Local Government the present position in regard to the Ballyheen group water scheme, Kanturk, County Cork.

It is understood that the group concerned are being asked by Cork County Council to provide larger pipes than those provided for originally so that the scheme will fit in with the proposals of the council for a future regional scheme for the area.

49.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange with Kerry County Council to have the head works carried out for the Kells group water scheme to enable it to be got under way and completed.

On the latest information available to me, the local authority do not regard the scheme referred to by the Deputy as having a high priority in their water and sewerage programme.

50.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is now in a position to sanction the tender submitted to him on 15th September, 1965, for the Ardara-Glenties water scheme in County Donegal.

I hope to be in a position to convey a decision on the Glenties-Ardara water scheme shortly.

Would the Minister acknowledge that this has been with his Department since 15th December, 1965 and that is more than six months?

This is a regional water scheme. It is not a question of the erection of houses.

What is the difference, when people cannot build houses on serviced sites?

There is a difference between houses and water.

No difference.

Would Deputy Harte please allow Questions to proceed. There is only one minute left for Questions.

That is no reason why I should be ruled out by the Chair.

The Deputy is interrupting more than anyone else.

And the Chair will see that I do not.

51.

asked the Minister for Local Government when it is hoped to have available the outcome of the review of regional water supply schemes which is being carried out by sanitary authorities throughout the country.

A very heavy programme of local authority water and sewerage schemes is at present in planning, the total value of these schemes being of the order of £65 million.

Of this amount £44 million represents the cost of regional water supply schemes while the balance of £21 million represents the cost of sewerage schemes and water supply schemes other than regional schemes.

Having regard to the necessity to conserve available capital for housing and other essential services, sanitary authorities throughout the country were asked in August-September, 1967, to review their sanitary services programmes and to submit lists showing in order of priority all the water and sewerage schemes in planning in their areas.

While up-to-date priority lists have not been submitted by a number of authorities, it has been established that approximately £20 million worth of work is of the highest priority. Of this amount I have recently authorised sanitary services schemes to a total value of over £3 million, of which about £2.4 million refers to water supply schemes.

In the meantime the planning of the remaining £17 million worth of urgent schemes is going ahead.

Sanitary authorities who have not to date submitted priority lists or who have not submitted properly compiled lists, that is, integrated lists showing both water and sewerage schemes, are being asked to do so.

Pending the receipt and analysis in the Department of up-to-date priority lists for all sanitary authorities it will not be possible to give any indication as to when the present review of schemes in planning is likely to conclude.

Does the Minister agree that there will be some difficulty where he desires to have serviced houses and the serviced water and sewerage are not available because of the huge sum of money that is required, which I freely concede to him? Can the Minister give an assurance that housing will in no way be held up?

That type of case would be the highest priority.

Does the Minister feel — again this is not a critical supplementary—that he will be able to keep housing going particularly in the country areas where the provision of water and sewerage is not alone desirable but absolutely essential in 1968, while the allocations for water and sewerage to county councils are small?

I have every confidence the present high level of building activity will be maintained.

The Minister has every confidence?

Yes, provided the country's economy remains in the same responsible hands, and that seems to be assured.

It does not seem to be assured. They will get the first fall at the water ditch.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.