92 Mr. Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the anger and frustration felt by residents in the catchment area of the Castle Connor Group Water Scheme at the delay in sanctioning the scheme; if his attention has further been drawn to the expense incurred by the group because it took into account suggestions made by his Department at different times in the preparation of the scheme; and if he will sanction this scheme in the very near future.

Group scheme grants and estimated local contributions would together provide only some 40 per cent of the financing required for this scheme. Its financing would, under present arrangements, require a substantial further grant from the budget for public water and sewerage schemes. Having regard to existing commitments under the water and sanitary services programme, it is not possible to indicate when the scheme may be approved.