asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction the extension of Arden Road sewerage scheme, Tullamore, County Offaly to the urban boundary.

No proposals for such an extension are before my Department.

251.

asked the Minister for Local Government when he will sanction the tender for the Crinkle, County Offaly sewerage scheme.

252.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position in regard to Crinkle sewerage scheme, County Offaly.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together. Contract documents for this scheme are under examination in my Department. The question of approval to a tender does not arise at this stage.

253.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position in regard to Ballycumber sewerage scheme, County Offaly.

Preliminary report for the Ballycumber sewerage scheme was received in my Department on the 10th September and is under examination.

254.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position in regard to Kinnitty sewerage scheme, County Offaly.

Contract documents for this scheme are under consideration in my Department.

255.

asked the Minister for Local Government the up-to-date position regarding the proposed sewerage extensions at Ballina Quay, County Mayo.

The contract documents for this scheme have been approved. A loan application was submitted by the local authority to my Department on 20th October. It will be considered when the local authority submit their proposals for acceptance of a tender.

256.

asked the Minister for Local Government when work will start on Kilronan sewerage scheme, County Galway.

The position in relation to this scheme is that revised proposals, as approved by the county council as recently as 25th October, are under examination in my Department.

257.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction stage 2 of the Tullamore water scheme, County Offaly.

Proposals for this scheme have been the subject of discussions between the technical officers of my Department and the local authority following which revised proposals are to be submitted.

258.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state, in respect of Brennermore group water scheme, whether any inspector from his Department has investigated the area since the survey sheets were submitted to his Department on 13th July, 1971; and if he will explain the delay in the development of this scheme in view of the fact that boring was carried out by the county council 14 months ago and that there is the fullest local co-operation.

This proposed scheme has not been investigated at local level by an inspector of my Department. However, the area to be served was visited at the request of the Department by a technical officer of the county council on two occasions since 13th July, 1971. There has been no avoidable delay in dealing with the proposal. The initial investigations indicate that the proposal will be costly and that there is some doubt as to the adequacy of the source selected to supply the scheme. These aspects of the proposal are receiving active consideration.