asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will make representations to the County Commissioner, 11 Parnell Square, Dublin, with a view to providing public playing grounds in all towns in North County Dublin with a population of over 500, and if the County Commissioner has not jurisdiction in this matter, if the Minister is prepared to introduce legislation giving the County Commissioner the necessary powers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Playing Grounds in North County Dublin.
The initiation of schemes of this nature rests with the local authority. As the Deputy is aware, the commissioner is in precisely the same position as any other local authority and it is not open to me to make any special approach to him. The Department cannot take direct action in regard to such matters. The investigation of the needs of any district must necessarily rest with the local authority rather than with the Department. It is, therefore, not proposed to depart from the usual practice in this instance.