asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a number of residents' associations, youth clubs and other philanthropic societies in Dublin have applied to the Dublin Corporation for leases of sites on which to build community halls and other civic amenities; and that, notwithstanding the social desirability of assisting such schemes and the long periods of time that many such sites have remained and may remain undeveloped and derelict, the corporation demand large site fines and high rents which discourage the applicants from proceeding with their plans because of the financial difficulty of meeting the corporation's requirements; whether the corporation have power to make such sites available at nominal rents and without fines; what powers the corporation have to assist such societies in the erection of halls and civic premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Amenity Sites.
I understand that a considerable number of applications for site accommodation are received by Dublin Corporation from bodies such as those mentioned. The applications are dealt with under section 11 of the Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919, which enables local authorities with the consent of the Minister to sell or lease land for a variety of purposes, including recreational development. I understand that where the corporation's housing committee is satisfied as to the bona fides of the applicants and the merits of the case a rent or fine may be fixed at less than the economic figure. Under section 75 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, land acquired or appropriated under the Act may be sold, leased or exchanged for the carrying out of any works or structures appearing to the planning authority to be needed for the proper planning and development of their area. If the rent or fine is less than the best reasonably obtainable, the consent of the Minister is required. Under section 52 of the Local Government Act, 1955, where the corporation have declared a body to be an approved local council under the Act they may assist them financially and in other ways in providing a hall for meetings and social functions.
Under the new Planning and Development Act, community planning is a responsibility of all planning authorities and objectives under this heading may be included in development plans under the Act. I am most anxious that planning authorities generally should face up to these responsibilities and should assist as far as possible in meeting the needs of their areas as regards community and social provisions. Any proposals coming before my Department under the provisions which I have described will receive every consideration. It will be appreciated, however, that the initiative and the basic decisions, in the exercise of these powers, rest with the local authorities.
Is the Minister aware that the current fine asked for by Dublin Corporation is about £600 per site for a home? Can he say if he has received from the corporation any application to make the sites available at a lesser fine?
I am not aware that I have received any such application but that does not say that some have not been received. I cannot answer that at the moment.