488 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received a response from Kilkenny County Council regarding the applicability of DBO procurement for new treatment works to allow a sewerage scheme in County Kilkenny progress; if funding has already been approved under the rural town and village initiative for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26092/01]

This scheme has been approved for funding under the rural towns and villages initiative. My Department is awaiting a report from Kilkenny County Council in relation to the applicability of design/build/operate procurement to the treatment works.

489 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will include four existing residences in the Abbeylara Road area in the Granard sewerage scheme, County Longford. [26093/01]

The design of the scheme, as approved for funding under my Department's water services investment programme, did not make provision for connecting the houses in question to the collection system. Consequently, it is a matter for Longford County Council to determine if such a provision should be funded from the council's own resources.