asked the Minister for Local Government whether, in view of the recent fatal accident to a small boy on waste ground at Cromcastle Avenue, Kilmore West, Coolock, Dublin, and of previous accidents in the same place, Dublin Corporation will take immediate steps to provide proper playing facilities for the children of the residents of this area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coolock (Dublin) Playing Facilities.
13.
I understand from Dublin Corporation that in the overall planning for the Coolock-Kilmore housing area some 55 acres have been set aside by them for amenity purposes; that about half of this area has been levelled and top-soiled with a view to grassing; that of the remaining half, a 15½-acre site is still in its natural grassy state; that a specially-designed and laid-out sunken garden has already been provided in the centre of the development; and that work is well advanced on the planning of further playgrounds and playing-pitch accommodation. I understand also that the corporation have been in touch with tenants' associations in the Coolock-Kilmore area with a view to enlisting their co-operation in endeavouring to discourage and prevent in their areas the type of dumping which gave rise to this unfortunate accident.
Is the Minister aware that this recent tragedy has aroused intense indignation among residents of the area; that the residents met last night at a large and widely representative meeting to which representatives of Dublin Corporation were invited and that, although the representatives of the corporation gave the impression that they would attend, in the event, they did not attend? Is the Minister further aware that the residents of the area find it difficult to get a democratic channel through which they can express their fears and convictions on this matter?
I am aware of the natural feelings of the people in the area but I am not aware of the meeting to which the Deputy refers. It is a fact that——
Deputy Timmons will inform the Minister about the meeting.
I have no doubt that Deputy Timmons will so inform me. I know that he has already been in touch with the corporation on the matter. The question referred to the provision of playing facilities in the area and the answer discloses that quite a generous provision has been made for playing facilities—a total of 55 acres. Of course, the entire has not yet been fully developed.
Is the Minister aware that the so-called underdeveloped playing facilities that exist consist of an old dumping ground and will he give the House some assurance that the corporation will move on this matter with some degree of urgency corresponding to the feelings and demands of the residents of the area?
Half of the 55 acres that have been set aside has been levelled and top soiled and will be seeded this year. There is an area of 15½ acres that is still covered with grass as it was when the corporation took possession of it. Plans are being drawn up for the development of the rest of the area. The corporation have been somewhat better than usual in relation to this particular case.
Is the Minister further aware that the open space where this tragedy occurred happens to be on the far side of the main road from Coolock to Santry? I should like to ask the Minister if the 55 acres to which he referred constitute 10 per cent, 5 per cent or what percentage of the built-up area? According to my reckoning it is only 4 or 5 per cent of the total built-up area in those fields.
My information is that the allocation of open space is more generous than usual.
Is the Minister further aware that the actual playing ground, as he describes it, in which this fatal accident took place, is the property of the corporation and that the 55 acres to which he has referred are being used as a dump?
I am aware that there was a certain amount of dumping in the area and that this gave rise to the accident. As I said, the corporation have been in touch with tenants' associations and have asked them to co-operate in the prevention of this type of dumping which they are so anxious to prevent.
Is the Minister further aware that the corporation allowed a builder to use this place as a storage spot?
I am not so aware.
The Minister should be aware.
The Minister should not be aware. He is not the corporation.
In view of the profoundly unsatisfactory, mechanical and bureaucratic nature of the Minister's reply, I wish to give notice of my intention to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
It is a matter for the corporation.
(Interruptions.)