asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) the total estimated cost of the Dublin planning scheme; (b) the latest date for lodging objections to the scheme with his Department; (c) when it is proposed to start work on the scheme and (d) how it is intended to finance the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Planning Scheme.
(a) I have no information as to the estimated cost to the planning authority of putting into operation the provisions of the planning scheme.
(b) The latest date for the receipt by me of objections to the planning scheme is 16th July, 1957.
(c) Until I have considered the planning scheme which has been submitted for my approval, I am unable to indicate the likely date on which the scheme will come into force.
(d) The cost of staff and other office and survey expenses connected with the making of the scheme are defrayed from the rates and such compensation as may be payable in respect of restrictions on density, zoning, etc. will probably be similarly defrayed. The constructive aspects of the scheme, for example, road and bridge construction, housing, etc., are all referable to the normal statutory activities of the corporation and in this respect the scheme merely indicates the developments which the corporation is likely to undertake in the ordinary course during the next 40 years. The cost of these developments is likely to be defrayed in the same way as similar schemes have been financed in the past.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary's reply mean that the cost of this scheme will be borne entirely by the ratepayers of Dublin City and, secondly, could the Parliamentary Secretary not give any estimate at all as to what the total estimated cost of the scheme is?
Such things as road grants and grants for constructing bridges will come from the Central Fund. As regards the cost, it is spread over a 40-year period and it would be very hard to give an estimate at this stage.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary not give an estimate of what the cost of the first stage of the scheme will be?
No.