2022 start date for Murrisk water scheme if funding is approved

IF a funding request is successful, works could start on the Murrisk water project early next year.

Some 600 households have expressed an interest in connecting to the scheme for Murrisk, Lecanvey and Kilsallagh.

The scheme is estimated to cost €6 million and a submission request for funding has been submitted for departmental approval.

Negotiations have also been taking place with Irish Water with regards connection costs.

An application for connections was submitted to Irish Water in March, and they are currently looking at that, senior engineer Michael McDermott has told local councillors at a municipal district meeting this week.

The proposal's pipe size will also allow for future connection on to Louisburgh.

Councillor Christy Hyland said this scheme is vital for the area as people have had a 'horrendous' time.

Councillor Brendan Mulroy agreed that they have 'suffered enough' and a result it needed.

As regards a time frame, Mr. McDermott said if they got an allocation before the end of the month, they would hope to have the design finished before the end of the year, have tenders advertised and be ready to appoint a contractor to start work on the ground early next year.

It would take 18 to 24 months to complete the project.