asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position regarding the Clare Island group water scheme.

I have allocated a capital sum of £50,000 to Mayo County Council for the provision of headworks on Clare Island in the current year to facilitate the proposed group water scheme. The local authority were notified of that capital allocation by my Department on 19 April 1984. The allocation of grants for the group water scheme will be considered when the group engage a contractor to carry out the work and submit the necessary supporting documentation to the Department.

Questions Nos. 8 to 12, inclusive, postponed.

13.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will define a connection for the purpose of group water scheme grants.

A grant is payable for each domestic water supply provided under a group scheme where the group supply is connected to a cold water tap and sink in the house of the applicant. In addition, separate grants are available for each potential farm supply provided by groups where the headworks and mains have the capacity to provide such supplies and the supply is adjacent to the farm of each eligible applicant.

Question No. 14 postponed.

15.

asked the Minister for the Environment when he proposes to make a grant available to Fermoy urban council for the development of the town's sewerage scheme.

I approved of the contract documents for stages 1 and 2, of the Fermoy sewerage scheme on 19 April 1984. It is now a matter for Fermoy Urban District Council to advertise for tenders for the scheme. The scheme falls to be financed by way of loan from the Local Loans Fund and not by way of grant. Any proposal from the local authority for the raising of the relevant loan will be considered in conjunction with any proposals they may submit for the acceptance of tenders for the construction of the scheme. A State subsidy of 50 per cent towards annual loan charges would apply in respect of the scheme.

Question No. 16 postponed.