asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to be in a position to sanction the sewerage scheme for Caragh, Naas, County Kildare.

A feasibility report has been submitted for this scheme and there has been correspondence between my Department and Kildare County Council. Pending submission by the county council of the information sought on certain aspects, I cannot say when approval will issue to the further planning of the scheme.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware of the grave need for houses in the area and that the council have a site there and are willing to provide houses for needy applicants but that their provision is dependent on sanction being received for stages 1 and 2 of the Upper Liffey Valley regional sewerage scheme? Could he give any idea of how soon sanction will be given?

Kildare County Council levied a charge of £1,200 per acre and the Department wrote to them in July, 1975, requesting details of the total amount of the levy collected to date in regard to the sanitary services. We are awaiting a reply from them.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary mean that the county council have not yet replied to a letter from the Department of July, 1975?

It is not that easy. There are matters in relation to charges. The Department are keeping in touch with the council about it and I think it will be cleared up fairly quickly.

4.