asked the Minister for Local Government what are the terms of appointment and remuneration of Dr. Lichfield, the recently appointed planner in Limerick; if it is intended to implement his plans in full; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Limerick Planner.
20.
The terms of reference of the appointment of Dr. Lichfield, planning consultant, to advise me on matters of planning and development in the Limerick region are as follows:
To prepare a report and advisory outline plan for the Limerick Region for the purposes of advising the Minister in relation to the performance of his functions under section 22 and section 23 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, including in particular his functions in relation to the co-ordination of the development plans made by planning authorities under the Act. The Report and outline plan should have regard to:
(a) The position of Limerick as a provincial social and economic centre.
(b) The regional and national economy and the Government's aim to expand the economy as a whole and to check emigration.
(c) The international airport, industrial estate and community development at Shannon.
(d) The necessity for economy and efficiency in physical developments in the region, estimates of cost and cost benefit analyses being supplied where appropriate.
(e) The provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963,
and should include the following subjects:
(1) The general size, form and function of the urban settlements within the region (the detail planning to be carried out by the planning authorities) with particular reference to centres of potential economic and social growth.
(2) Policy in relation to special amenity areas, major open spaces, coastal, lakeside and river amenities and leisure facilities.
(3) Roads and communications.
(4) Public services and utilities.
The region will be assumed to embrace generally the administrative areas of the City of Limerick and of the counties of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary (North Riding), but the consultant may indicate the extent of the region concerned for the purposes of specific aspects of his study.
The consultant will submit an interim report to the Minister dealing with the economic, social and technical problems of the planning of the district comprised in the Limerick city/South Clare/Shannon Industrial Estate complex. The interim report to be submitted within three months and the final report and plan within 15 months, both periods to run for one month from the date of appointment.
Dr. Lichfield was appointed by me in Limerick on 15th December, 1964.
The total estimated cost of the study based on scales suggested by the Chartered Town Planning Institute is in the region of £21,000, including office establishment and running costs, salaries of professional, technical and office staffs, fees for specialist studies, travelling and subsistence expenses, and incidental expenses such as stationery, printing and other office requisites. The purpose of this type of study, which I intend will be carried out in all regions of the country, is to obtain an expert assessment of the general development needs and potential of the region in the interests of co-ordinated planning.
The benefits of the study will be made available by me to the several planning authorities in the region to guide and assist them in preparing their separate development plans under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963.
I have decided on these regional planning studies as a special measure to assist planning authorities in the discharge of their functions under the Act and I anticipate that the specialist advice and recommendations which will be obtained will greatly contribute to balanced and integrated development in the region as a whole.