asked the Minister for the Environment when the Fearbreagues group water scheme will be cleared by his Department; and when grant aid will be paid.

It is understood that the group are seeking further quotations for the provision of their scheme. When these are received in my Department, an estimate of costs will be prepared and the allocation of grants considered for the scheme.

I cannot say at this stage when grants may be allocated or paid for this scheme.

I appeal to the Minister to use his good offices to ensure that this scheme is cleared as soon as possible. People in the area are desperate for a group water scheme.

One of the problems that has arisen with this scheme is that some quotations were submitted by the group to the Department on 10 October 1984. The group decided to seek further quotations for the scheme and when the details of those come into the Department we will consider them. It is not being held up by the Department.

The county council approved this scheme some time ago. The area is one of the driest in the county. Tests in relation to the rock in the area have so far proved successful. I asked the Minister to approve this scheme. When did the county council approve it?

The county council submitted it to my Department on 25 January 1984. As I said, the reason for any delay in this case is that the group have decided to seek further quotations for the scheme.

19.