asked the Minister for Local Government if he will request Cork County Council to make a special contribution to the Whitegate extension group water scheme to cover the increased costs incurred by the group in meeting the requirement of the council of laying larger piping, laying it along the public road and installing hydrants.

Cork County Council required this group to use 4 inch asbestos cement piping in lieu of 4 inch hard plastic piping, which would have been less expensive for the group. The additional cost involved was provisionally estimated at £1,000. On 14th July, 1976, my Department wrote to Cork County Council agreeing that the amount involved might be defrayed by the council out of the loan for the Whitegate regional extension scheme.

I understand that the council have not been asked to contribute further financial assistance in respect of any of the items referred to by the Deputy, as the normal State and local authority grants, combined with local contributions, should have been adequate to finance the cost of these items.

11.