asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position regarding sanction and finance for the Skibbereen sewerage scheme, County Cork, and its likely commencement date.

The local authority's proposals for this scheme must be considered in the context of the amount of capital available for water and sewerage schemes and the large number of such projects in progress or getting to construction at the present time. I cannot say when I will be in a position to approve the scheme, contract documents for which are under consideration in my Department.

The question of finance for the scheme will not arise until it has been fully planned and approved.