57 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for the Environment when he will sanction plans submitted by Mayo County Council in respect of a group water scheme (details supplied) in view of the fact that some householders had no water supply during the summer months of 1996. [9408/97]

As already announced, responsibility for the administration of the group schemes programme has been devolved to the local authorities, subject to existing commitments on foot of approvals issued by my Department. Where schemes including the Grimlin scheme have not yet been approved, it will in future be a matter for the local authorities to decide grant applications.