Vol. 477 No. 4
60 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Environment when funding will be made available for Kilkishen sewerage scheme, County Clare; whether the scheme has been prioritised for Cohesion Funding as part of the south-east Clare wetlands scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9465/97]
Kilkishen sewerage scheme, costing an estimated £1.8 million, is one of the high priority schemes included under Stage 1 of south-east Clare wetlands scheme which was submitted to the EU Commission for assistance under the Cohesion Fund in February 1995. Contract documents for the scheme are with my Department at present. However, pending the Commission's decision, and having regard to the existing high level of commitments under the water and sewerage programme, I cannot say when it may be possible to advance the scheme.
61 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Environment when approval will issue to Ennis UDC to appoint a consulting engineer for the town's main drainage scheme. [9466/97]
A brief for this scheme is with my Department at present but, having regard to the existing high level of commitments under the water and sewerage programme, I cannot say when it may be possible to approve it.
62 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for the Environment the funding, if any, which will be provided to Cavan County Council in 1997 to upgrade group water schemes; the schemes which will be assisted; the level of funding per project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9483/97]
Under the comprehensive package of measures which I announced in relation to group water schemes, capital moneys will be provided for the necessary upgrading of schemes through the existing group water grants scheme, in the case of schemes which wish to remain independent or, in other cases, through the new multi-annual programme for the take-over of group schemes by local authorities.
Responsibility for the administration of group water schemes grants has been devolved to the local authorities, subject to existing commitments on foot of approvals issued by my Department. It will in future be a matter for the local authorities to decide grant applications and the prioritisation of projects generally within the block grant allocations notified by my Department. Details of the devolved arrangements and the block grant allocations for 1997 have been sent to Deputies.
A special capital provision of £5 million a year is being made available for the upgrading and take-over of existing group schemes by the local authorities. Block grant allocations in respect of this measure will be notified shortly.
63 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for the Environment if he will sanction a project (details supplied) in County Galway; the date on which this will be done; the amount allocated in this regard in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9496/97]
There is no proposal with my Department for a sewerage scheme at this location. It will, in future, be a matter for county councils to decide projects costing less than £250,000 under the new measures for the devolution of small schemes to local authorities.
