asked the Minister for the Environment the present position in regard to the sewerage scheme for Cloneygowan, County Offaly; if he is aware of the urgent need for the provision of this scheme; and the action he proposes to take to have this scheme provided.

This scheme must be considered in the context of the amount of capital available for water and sewerage schemes, the number of such schemes in progress or getting to construction and the need to conserve capital for schemes of the highest priority. I cannot say when I will be in a position to convey a decision to the local authority on their preliminary proposals for the scheme which are under consideration in my Department.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Could the Minister state when the proposals were received in his Department?

The preliminary proposals were submitted on 13 July 1976.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Does it mean, following the Minister's reply to the last question, that the activities of the Department have come to a standstill?

I say to the contrary. The activities of my Department have increased enormously since 1977 and the amount of money being spent on water and sewerage schemes has increased considerably. The activity going on in each county council and each local authority and the amount of money being spent are far greater than ever before. The county councils have their priorities which we normally accept from them and the work is being carried out in that order.

They put it on a higher file in the office than the ones which were received earlier. There is no money to do any of them.

Money is being spent.