I am seeking the support of the Taoiseach and the Government in the context of Irish Water providing a sewerage scheme for the people in the parish of Kilcummin. This proposed scheme has been talked about for the past 18 years or so but, sadly, it has not been built to date. This very important scheme is to cater for two housing estates of over 100 houses, two pubs, a GAA pitch, a shop, a post office-----

Can we have a little order, please? Every Member is entitled to the same respect.

Hear, hear.

Our Lady of Lourdes nursing home has over 100 patients and wants to expand but cannot do so without a proper sewerage facility. Its plans are being held up. There are many houses along the route. The purpose of the scheme is to take the sewage from Kilcummin down to the Killarney treatment plant, which is operating at just 56% of capacity and so would be well capable of coping. There are 750 people in the village catchment, approximately 250 houses and up to 100 more along the route. Inland Fisheries Ireland took the matter to An Board Pleanála and, happily, planning permission has come through.

The history of this is that funding was made available in 2008. Contracts were in place at that time but the contractor was removed because of things that happened on another scheme with which he was involved. The Department of Finance then stipulated the use of a new type of tender whereby would-be contractors would have to tender an all-in price. This created difficulties for the local authority and delayed the tender process. Before we knew where we were, the country and the scheme both went down the Swanee. We have been fighting for the scheme ever since.

The state of the road where the sewerage pipe is to be laid is causing the people of Kilcummin much distress. It was to have been resurfaced in 2004 and there was money for that. However, this was put back until the sewerage scheme project was carried out. Year after year, we have had money for the road but it is still in a shocking state. Every councillor - myself, when I was on the council, my daughter Maura, who has been there since, and all the other elected representatives in the area - has had deputations in about the state of the road. The people of Kilcummin are entitled to good road up to their doors in the very same way as the people in Dublin 4. We are now informed that maybe it will go ahead next year. I am asking the Government to ensure that this scheme is progressed next year, to liaise with Irish Water and to ensure that the people of Kilcummin get what they are entitled to.

I am afraid I am unable to answer the Deputy's question because I do not have information on that specific project to hand.

What about the grandiose plan?

If, when asking a question on Leaders' Questions in future, the Deputy gives us 24 or 48 hours' notice, I will endeavour to get the relevant information in order that we can give him a detailed reply, which I would like to be able to do.

It will be done next year. I can tell the Taoiseach that. I can confirm it.

It is on the way.

A tender has been awarded.

In terms of the bigger picture, I am advised that €3 billion has been provided in the capital budget for Irish Water between now and 2021 and, on foot of Project Ireland 2040, our national development plan approved by Cabinet last Friday, an additional commitment of an extra €5 billion for Irish Water is to be provided from 2021 to 2027. There is €8 billion for Irish Water to invest in our water and sewerage networks over the next ten years. I am unable to give the Deputy information on that specific project.

I thank the Taoiseach and appreciate that he may not be up to date with it. Kilcummin is just on the bounds of Killarney town. I hear from what he is saying that he is not aware of it but I am sure if the project was announced, he would know about it then.

Certainly someone, perhaps the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Griffin, would be in contact with Radio Kerry about the story.

I will announce it for the Deputy.

Or, indeed, maybe Deputy John Brassil could contact the station because he is supporting Fine Gael in government.

Confidence and supply.

Every year it is the same story. Kerry County Council has money for the road but cannot spend it because it is waiting for the sewerage scheme to be done first. I am asking the Government to liaise with Irish Water to ensure that the tender goes out and the work goes ahead as soon as possible. Neither I nor the people of Kilcummin can understand why, once the planning came through after all the waiting, the work cannot be done this year. What are they waiting for? Are they waiting for the country to go wallop again?

Once it is announced, I am sure the Deputy will hear all about it. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has just passed me a note to say that he will look at it and get back to the Deputy before the end of the week with an update.