Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach tráthnóna inniu. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan. He is very welcome to the House. I thank him for his presence. I wish to raise with him the Milltown group sewerage scheme which is located outside Monaghan town. I raised the issue with his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy English, earlier in the year. We were hopeful the announcement would be made before the end of the current year, 2017. Milltown was one of six schemes identified for funding under the multi-annual programme 2016 to 2018. What we are dealing with here is a cluster of approximately 30 septic tanks that are causing some environmental issues and are a cause of concern. The case has been proven and it has been submitted to the Department, which is fully aware of the situation. In order for the scheme to proceed it is vital that 90% funding is secured. Otherwise, the scheme will not go ahead. Earlier in the year the Minister of State, Deputy English, gave a verbal commitment when he was in the House that that would be the case.

I commend the residents of the Milltown area on the significant work they have put into getting to this point. The work they had to do was exhausting and onerous. I acknowledge the contribution of Monaghan County Council in that regard also. What we are seeking this afternoon is an announcement from the Minister of State that the 90% funding has been ring-fenced and secured for this project and that the work will commence in 2018. There are two other issues on which I would like the Minister of State to comment briefly, if he does not mind. First, could he or his Department indicate when the next scheme will commence? The current one expires in 2018. Has he any proposal to announce a new one for 2018 onwards? I hope there will be an increase in the number of successful applicants. As he knows, only six schemes have been funded in the entire State over the past three years. This is a very low number. We are all conscious of the issues that septic tanks can cause for the environment.

Second, the scheme is very onerous on residents and communities. A considerable amount of work is involved for them in submitting an application. Those concerned have to form companies, become company directors and hire engineers. It is very onerous and unfair on people whose skills might not lie in this area. I would like to believe that, in the future, the relevant local authority will be funded and that it will manage the entire project from start to finish.