Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise an issue in respect of the water supply scheme for Glantane, Lombardstown and Lahern. There have been many problems with the scheme for a long number of years and over the past 12 months in particular. Since January of this year, a number of sections of the scheme have been closed down and a large number of houses have been left without water for up to a week at a time. Cork County Council has been obliged to supply a water tanker to the village in Glantane and a number of new housing estates in the area lack a regular water supply. As for the current scheme, 5.2 km of pipes must be replaced and I understand it comprises an old type of asbestos pipe that is no longer suitable and should be replaced. I further understand the county council has applied to the Department for the necessary funding. It has deemed this to be an emergency situation in which the area has the worst water supply problems in the county. As quite a number of new houses were built there, a considerable number of young families live in the immediate area. While they are reliant on the water supply scheme, unfortunately they find themselves without water on many mornings. Therefore, to ensure a water supply in the morning, they are obliged to keep water in tanks in their own houses. I ask the Minister to give priority to this matter. The county council has inspected the system and has agreed it must be replaced. I am given to understand by Cork County Council that it wishes to give priority to the scheme but needs funding, the only source of which is the Department.