asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to sanction the sewerage scheme for Tullyallen, County Louth.

I am not as yet in a position to convey a decision to the local authority on their preliminary proposals for this scheme which are at present under examination in my Department.

This is disappointing news. Is the Minister aware that many young married people are living in poor conditions while awaiting housing in Tullyallen and will he ensure that this scheme on which the building of the houses depends is sanctioned immediately?

The preliminary proposal was submitted to the Department on 2nd September. That is only a few months ago. In view of the fact that some of the schemes have been there for ten years this is not surprising. I received representations from a number of places about this and I asked specifically about it. The matter has been discussed recently and quite good progress has been made. I hope that shortly the inspector will be preparing a report on the basis of those discussions. The scheme ranks No. 3 in Louth County Council's integrated priority list of sanitary services schemes in planning. I should not like anyone to get the impression that, if it is behind two schemes to which Louth County Council are giving priority, by simply sanctioning it in the Department it will be done. Perhaps Deputy Faulkner could use his good offices at that level to ensure it takes its proper places.

Has the Minister any idea when it might be sanctioned?

It is only at the preliminary stage. The report has not come back to me. When it comes back it may take a month or six weeks to deal with it.

The Minister will appreciate the disappointment there will be in relation to it.

No, because these people have been disappointed for about 15 years since I was first approached about this matter. I could not do anything about it then, but I hope to do something now.

The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.