asked the Minister for Local Government the up-to-date position of contract C in the mid-regional water scheme in Kildare involving the erection of a reservoir at Old Kilcullen; when he expects to be in a position to sanction this tender; and if he will state the amount of the lowest tender.

The local authority submitted tenders for this work on the 25th February. These are now being examined in my Department and I consider that it would not be proper to disclose the amount of the lowest tender pending completion of that examination.

41.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding part two of the Ballydaly group water scheme, Millstreet, County Cork.

My Department have asked Cork County Council if they would be prepared to provide the headworks for part two of the Ballydaly group scheme. The council's decision in the matter is awaited.

42.

asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in sanctioning Kilkelly sewerage scheme, County Mayo; and when sanction will issue.

43.

asked the Minister for Local Government when he will sanction the documents sent by Mayo County Council in relation to Kilkelly sewerage scheme.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 42 and 43 together.

There has been no undue delay. I hope to be in a position to give my decision shortly on the revised contract documents for the scheme which were submitted in December last.

In view of the very depressed area in which Kilkelly is situated in my county would the Minister not consider giving sanction immediately in case the IDA establish an industry there in the near future?

I cannot do that because by letter dated 18th January, 1973, the local authority indicated that the contract documents for this scheme would need to be revised and up-dated. Revised contract documents were submitted on 11th April, 1973. A letter was issued to the local authority on 3rd May, 1973, approving of the revisions and requesting them to forward full contract documents in due course. The contract documents were not submitted until 11th December, 1973. Technical examination is expected to be completed shortly when a decision will be issued to the local authority without delay. But I would not be prepared to give sanction until this has been completed. It should not take much longer.

44.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position concerning the proposed group water supply scheme for the Tullaha, Gortdromakiery and Coolies area near Muckross, Killarney, County Kerry.

I understand that the Deputy is probably referring to the Loughquittane group water supply scheme which is proposed to serve approximately 30 houses in the Tullaha-Gortdromakiery-Coolies area.

The group sought a connection to the existing public mains at Muckross, but Killarney Urban District Council recently informed my Department that further consideration could only be given to the proposed connection if and when the existing public supply is augmented.

45.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is yet in a position to allow county councils to supervise group water supply schemes.

No objection is raised to county councils supervising group schemes and recouping the cost from the groups involved. Any supervising fee charged by a county council can be included in the cost of a group scheme for grant purposes.

46.

asked the Minister for Local Government whether he will provide grants for group sewerage schemes in rural areas where there are a number of houses near each other.

Under existing legislation my Department and sanitary authorities are empowered to pay grants for group sewerage schemes serving two or more houses. The combined grants may amount to two-thirds of the cost per house or £60, whichever is the less.

47.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will approve contract documents for the Belmont and Ferbane water schemes, County Offaly.

These documents are at present under examination in my Department. I hope to be in a position very soon to convey a decision thereon to the local authority.

48.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will indicate the progress to date in respect of the second stage of Bray sewerage scheme, County Wicklow.

I understand that the report on the investigations into the method to be adopted for the final disposal of the town sewerage is nearing completion and should be available to the local authority shortly.

Would the Minister think that this is somewhat similar to a reply he gave me approximately six months ago? Has there been undue delay, in the opinion of the Minister on this matter?

No. It is a very technical matter. The reply is similar to that which I gave the Deputy previously but I am glad to inform him that the solution is much closer than it was when I gave the previous reply on the 11th December.

Would the Minister anticipate that this scheme would be completed by the beginning of the summer season?

Completed?

Yes, the second stage.

I should not like to estimate how long it would take to do the job. I can tell the Deputy that on the 6th March Bray Urban District Council were informed that the further planning of the scheme must await the completion of a preliminary report for the Shanganagh outfall scheme which will incorporate the results of investigations to determine the interrelation of various outfalls in the general area, including the Bray outfall. It is understood the report into these investigations is almost completed and will be available to the local authority in about six weeks time.

There is no commencement date?

No.

49.

asked the Minister for Local Government whether he will allow county councils to maintain common septic tanks to drain a number of private houses.

Sanitary authorities do not require my specific approval to undertake such work.

50.

asked the Minister for Local Government the plans his Department have for the extension of the Ballinlough regional water scheme to Treen, Castlerea, County Roscommon.

I have recently approved Roscommon County Council's proposals for the carrying out of this work.

51.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the Carrick/Coolatinny group water scheme, Ballinlough, County Roscommon.

My Department have recently approved a proposal by Roscommon County Council to lay a main from the Ballinlough-Cloonfad-Loughglynn regional water supply scheme to Garranlahan so that it can be used as a source for group water schemes in the area, including the location mentioned by the Deputy. It is hoped that the county council's scheme will result in the revival of a suitable proposal for a group scheme for the Carrick-Coolatinny area which has been in abeyance because of the absence of a suitable source.

52.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position concerning the Kilnatoora group water scheme, Youghal, County Cork.

A group scheme for the location mentioned by the Deputy has not come to fruition primarily because of the lack of sufficient interest by the prospective beneficiaries and the difficulty and high cost of developing a suitable source.

53.

asked the Minister for Local Government when approval in respect of the civil works and pumping plant documents submitted to his Department in connection with the Enniscorthy water supply improvements scheme, County Wexford, will be granted.

Contract documents for the civil works for this scheme were submitted to my Department on the 26th February and are under examination.

Contract documents for the pumping plant have not been received to date.

54.

asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to sanction the contract documents for the extension of the Sow regional water scheme to Oulart, County Wexford.

Certain technical aspects of this scheme have been the subject of discussions and correspondence with the local authority who are to report further on the matter.

55.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he has yet sanctioned the tender for construction of a filtration plant for the Burnfoot water supply scheme, County Donegal.

No request for the sanction of such a tender has been submitted to my Department.

56.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the proposed extension to Stage I of the Galway city east side and environs water supply scheme.

Contract documents for this project were submitted by the local authority to my Department on the 19th February and are being examined at present.

57.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the proposed sewerage scheme at Kilronan, Aran Islands, County Galway.

Contract documents for the main scheme were approved on the 10th January, 1973. On the 11th May, 1973, proposals for a small advance section to serve a new housing scheme were approved. No further proposals have since been submitted to my Department.

58.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange with Roscommon County Council to extend the regional water supply from Ballinlough, Cloonfad, with a view to giving a supply to the Lovallyroe group scheme in County Mayo.

This is primarily a matter for the local authorities concerned.

59.

asked the Minister for Local Government whether his Department have any plans for improved sewerage and storm drain facilities at Greystones, County Wicklow.

This is a matter primarily for the Wicklow County Council. I approved on 13th December last the council's proposals to accept a tender for the carrying out of a scheme on the lines mentioned by the Deputy.