asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received plans from Dublin Corporation for the provision of playing fields in the areas of Finglas East and Finglas West; at what date such fields will be provided; and, if he has not received such plans, if he will instruct Dublin Corporation to provide them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amenities in Housing Areas.
6.
I have not received any plans from Dublin Corporation for the provision of playing fields in the Finglas area. I understand that Dublin Corporation have drawn up a programme, to be spread over a period of ten years, for the provision of parks and playing fields in a number of areas of the city, including Finglas. It is a matter for the Corporation to initiate steps for the provision of those playing fields and I am not empowered to issue directions to them.
7.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the total population of the Finglas West housing area, Dublin, and the total number of shops at present operating in the area to serve this population; and if he will state, in view of the fact that many Finglas residents must travel considerable distances in order to get to shops, when it is expected that more shops will be built in this area.
I understand that the estimated population of the Finglas West housing area is now in excess of 14,000. I am informed that there is a large number of shops, I cannot say the exact number, in the old Finglas village which is reasonably convenient to the housing estate. Apart from these, six shops have already been provided by the Corporation in the estate and a further 19 are in course of construction on sites leased by the Corporation. I am also informed that sites are available for further shops should they be found to be necessary.
Is the Minister not aware that the six shops in the centre of Finglas West are catering for practically 10,000 people? Could the Minister tell us how soon the construction of the other 19 will be completed?
I have stated that these are in course of construction and that means that they will probably be completed within the next 12 months but allowances must be made for delays in the fulfilling of contracts and other such matters.
8.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ensure in the future when housing areas are being planned that such plans shall include provision for all amenities, such as shops, schools, libraries, churches, community centres, etc., to be built as nearly as possible simultaneously with the houses which are being built in the area, thus bringing to an end the present situation where large housing areas are built, and people brought to live in them, without the slightest regard for the provision of any amenities whatever other than the actual houses.
Housing authorities are required to have regard in the planning of housing schemes to the need to provide that churches, schools, shops and other amenities will be located within a reasonable distance of all the dwellings in the scheme and, when the scheme is of sufficient size, to set aside sites for the provision of these and other amenities within the scheme.
They have been reminded of these requirements in a recent circular letter. I am anxious that these facilities should be provided as soon as possible but at the same time it must be appreciated that, owing to the number and variety of other interests involved, it may not always be possible to arrange their simultaneous provision.