A number of residents from the general Sandyford area have been in touch with me regarding the water supply and water pressure locally.

My colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dick Roche TD, has written to me informing me that he has approved Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown's proposal to invite tenders for the Sandyford High Level Water Supply Scheme.

The scheme provides for the construction of two new covered reservoirs at Dun Gaoithe and Stepaside, pumping stations at Stillorgan reservoir and Sandyford Hall estate and approximately 7.5 kilometres of rising and distribution mains. This scheme will address supply deficiencies in the Sandyford, Ballyogan, Stepaside and Kilternan areas. It will provide water supply capacity to meet development requirements to alleviate customer supply problems and to improve the overall quality and reliability of the supply system.

This approval by the Minister moves the process an important step closer to commencement.