107 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for the Environment the amount of funding drawn down in each of the past three years for group water schemes, small water and sewerage schemes and large sewerage schemes for counties Cavan and Monaghan. [10612/97]

The information requested is set out in the following table:

108 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, there are to compensate persons who are paying commercial water rates while providing a public service in rural areas where such public facilities are not supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10642/97]

The abolition of charges for public water and sewerage services and the payment of a subsidy towards the operational cost of private group water schemes relate to domestic usage only. I have no proposals to extend these benefits to commercial users.

109 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for the Environment if he will approve the preparation of contract documents for a water scheme extension which has been with his Department since 1992 and which would facilitate connection thereafter by a proposed group water scheme in an area where there is currently no water supply available, in view of the fact that any increase in car tax would have the effect of penalising these people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10653/97]

Earlier this year I approved construction of the extension of the Erris Regional water supply scheme extension to Bangor, costing an estimated £1.75 million. Having regard to the existing level of commitments under the water and sewerage schemes programme, I cannot say when it may be possible to approve any further extensions of this scheme.

110 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in approving tenders for the site investigations contract in relation to proposed improvement works to Headford sewerage scheme, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10684/97]

These tenders are with my Department at present but, having regard to existing high level of commitments under the water and sewerage schemes programme, I cannot say when it may be possible to approve them.