asked the Minister for Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities will provide in their development plans for long and medium term projections of the supply and demand for water for industrial and domestic purposes.

Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, planning authorities are required to make development plans for their areas and to review them at least once in every five years. In the making and review of plans, the authorities may indicate objectives for any of the purposes mentioned in the Third Schedule to the Act including the provision and siting of sanitary services to ensure that the development of areas set aside for housing, industrial or commercial development purposes have the services essential for such development. In rural areas, it is mandatory under the Act to include objectives for the provision of new water supplies and sewerage services and the extension of existing supplies and services.

An outgoing programme of studies in relation to water resources is being undertaken by An Foras Forbartha, which should be of considerable assistance to local authorities. This programme includes an assessment of water resources and water demand on a regional basis with recommendations for stage by stage development.

199.

asked the Minister for Local Government when he will sanction a loan to extend water to Paal, Kanturk, County Cork, from the existing water supply in Kanturk town.

My Department are at present examining, in consultation with Cork County Council, the feasibility of extending the Kanturk water supply to Paal by modifying three group water supply schemes. Accordingly, consideration of the loan application made by the council for this extension has been deferred.

200.

asked the Minister for Local Government why a person (name supplied) in County Offaly was omitted from the Geashill sewerage scheme, as his house was the only one not connected.

This was a matter determined by the local authority concerned. I understand however that the level of the house in question would have created particular difficulties. The house has, I understand, private drainage facilities.

201.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction the contract documents and provide the required capital allocation for the proposed Mallow town sewerage scheme, County Cork.

I cannot as yet indicate when I will be in a position to sanction this scheme.