asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ensure that when new residential areas are being set up or when existing districts are being redeveloped, the plans will make provision with respect to facilities for encouraging a better use of leisure time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leisure Time Facilities.
20.
In so far as leisure facilities involve the use of land in new residential areas or in existing districts which are being redeveloped, it is a matter for the planning authority to avail of their powers under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963.
In their development plan, they may zone or reserve lands for a variety of purposes which would encourage the better use of leisure time and may determine the provision and siting of recreational and other facilities. Such objectives may be secured partly through the control and regulation of private development and partly by the use of the authority's own specific powers to acquire land and provide facilities for recreation and other leisure activities. While development plans are not subject to approval by me, I have indicated my views on the subject; for example, I have stressed on several occasions the need for local authorities to make adequate provision for recreational facilities and to have full regard to the overall environment in future housing development.
I believe the Minister is sincere in his remarks about environmental matters. Would he not agree that much of the vandalism by young people that we read about now is because they are bored and there are no proper facilities or a sufficient variety of them provided in the various schemes, both local authority and private?
That point has been well made by a number of the people dealing with those types of youngsters and I am prepared to agree it is partly the cause.