Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The areas with a population of 1,000 or more are all included in the current programme.

In the event that the EPA, in conjunction with the local authority, determines that a particular area not in the current scheme has a significant problem, there is a financial provision which can be drawn down in consultation with the EPA, the Department and the local authority to address very specific difficulties in those kinds of areas.

Those difficulties can be partially addressed at source protection which is very important, more particularly for the areas being dealt with specifically today, the group water scheme areas and schemes in areas of much higher population, as referred to by Senator Healy Eames when she spoke about Galway and the initial cryptospiridium problem and the subsequent e.coli contamination. I also refer to Ennis which has had serious difficulties in that regard. These difficulties are gradually being addressed and the Department is confident they will be addressed successfully.

The Department and the EPA are currently examining the latest drinking water quality results with a view to cataloguing those supplies at greatest risk from cryptospiridium and also supplies subject to continuing e.coli or other chemical excesses. This analysis is expected to be completed by the middle of next year at the latest, hopefully a little sooner. This will inform decisions on the programme from then on. The contingency fund will be directed at those places.