asked the Minister for Local Government the date the Kilkerrin/Carna regional water scheme was submitted for sanction to his Department by Galway County Council; the date it was sanctioned; when work commenced on the scheme; if the scheme includes the area from Loughaconneera national school to O'Donnell's of Moyrus, a distance of 12 miles; the townlands covered by the scheme; and if the scheme was curtailed and, if so, the townlands affected by the curtailment.

Final contract documents for this scheme were submitted for approval on 7th May, 1970, and approved on 2nd June, 1970. Work commenced on the scheme in October, 1972. The townlands directly served by the project are Kilkieran, Ardmore, Callowfinnish, Rusheenamanagh and Carna. It is to be expected that the provision of this headworks and trunk mains scheme will, as in other areas, lead to considerable group development in the neighbourhood including the Loughaconneera and Moyrus areas.

The 1970 scheme was not curtailed but I understand that a scheme mooted in 1965 envisaged the provision of water direct from public mains to the following additional townlands : Loughaconneera, Kylesalia, Rusheenyvulligan, Rusheenacholla Island, Mweenish Island, Letterdeskert, Coilleen, Moyrus, Dooyeher, Halfmace, Mace, Ardwest and Ardeast. Schemes of that type were not proceeded with since it became necessary to reserve available capital for the financing of priority projects such as the current scheme, which encourages group development over a wide area.

Question No. 63 postponed.

64.

asked the Minister for Local Government if there are proposals to improve water pressure in Ballyfermot, Dublin.

The Deputy will appreciate that this is a matter for Dublin Corporation who, I understand, are at present providing the first section of an 18 inch trunk main from Belgard to the existing main at Fox and Geese which services the Ballyfermot area. I understand that this is part of a scheme which, when completed, will improve water pressure generally in Ballyfermot.

I understand that all these water schemes require the sanction of the Department of Local Government and I think have to be assisted financially by the Department by way of grants. Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that, in view of the very serious statement that water rationing may take place in Dublin, extra funds should be made available and the local authority encouraged to improve the water supply?

As I pointed out, we are awaiting proposals from the corporation.

Is it not true that the city is expanding faster than its services?

We are awaiting proposals from the corporation for the extension.

Then we are back to the technical staff.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the problem of water supply is general throughout Dublin city and for some years now has been assuming major proportions? Can he say anything that would be of encouragement to the people of Dublin in this regard or, rather than wait for proposals to come in, would he not be prepared to take some initiative in the matter?

I understand the corporation are giving special attention to Ballyfermot in order to ensure that all housewives will have a satisfactory supply. It is understood that the progress of the balance of the scheme is now largely dependent on pipe deliveries and the council are hopeful that construction of this scheme will commence before the end of this year.

Deputy Lemass may be particularly concerned with the good people of Ballyfermot——

We are waiting for proposals.

——but every Deputy in the House can confirm that this is a general problem throughout the city.

The question is specific.

Surely I may ask a supplementary question in general terms and ask the Parliamentary Secretary to take a special interest in this matter and perhaps take some initiative?

I shall convey the Deputy's remarks to the proper authorities.

This has come about as a result of a shortage of technical staff in the Department of Local Government.

We are waiting for the corporation.

That is what I say; it is a shortage of technical staff in all areas in the public services.

65.

asked the Minister for Local Government when the tender for Dunkineely sewerage scheme was submitted by Donegal County Council for his approval: and if and when approval was given.

Tenders for this scheme have not yet been submitted to my Department.

66.

asked the Minister for Local Government when the tender for Killybegs sewerage scheme was submitted by Donegal County Council for his approval; and if and when approval was given.

Tenders for civil works and pumping plant for the Killybegs sewerage scheme were submitted to my Department by Donegal County Council on the 3rd and 14th June, 1973, respectively. These are at present being examined,