Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 1

Written Answers. - Housing Developments.

Austin Deasy

Question:

82 Mr. Austin Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of town planners, if any, in his Department; his views on the lack of open spaces being provided in conjunction with housing developments, both local authority and private; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19422/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

A total of five professional town planners are employed by my Department; two of these are currently serving as members of An Bord Pleanála on a tempary basis. In addition, one town planner from Dublin Corporation is currently on secondment to my Department.

As I outlined in my response to Question Nos. 56, 79 and 86 on 3 February 1998, a number of factors are relevant in relation to the provision of open space in housing schemes. Local authorities are empowered, under the Local Government Act, 1994, to provide, operate and maintain parks and open spaces for amenity and recreational purposes. The criteria to be applied to the provision of public open space in housing schemes is a matter for each local authority in accordance with their development plan. When deciding planning applications, a planning authority must have regard to the policies set out in the plan and may attach conditions to permissions requiring the provision of appropriate facilities.

My Department is engaging consultants to prepare draft planning guidelines on residential density. As the subject matter of the Question is of some relevance in this context, I am arranging to have a copy of the Question referred to the consultant.

The provision of open spaces, recreational facilities, amenity areas, etc. specifically in local authority housing schemes is also a matter for the individual housing authorities in the first instance. Appropriate limited facilities of this kind are funded as part of the cost of a housing scheme from my Department's capital allocations. Local authorities have been advised, in guidelines issued by the Department, that new housing should comprise small, well-designed schemes, be integrated as far as possible with housing and other developments in the area, create a good living environment for the residents and be convenient to various services and amenities.

Funding is available under my Department's remedial works scheme to assist housing authorities to carry out major essential works of a structural nature to dwellings in designated rundown housing estates. The objective is not only to upgrade the fabric of the dwellings but also to improve the living conditions of the tenants. For this reason, works of an environmental nature, including limited amenity and recreational facilities, may be included as part of a project where they are considered necessary to support the work undertaken to the dwellings.