asked the Minister for Local Government if, having regard to the high percentage of young persons in the population of the county, he will give details of physical planning being undertaken by the Government to provide housing, sanitary services, roads and development generally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Physical Planning.
26.
Every effort is being made by the Government through the investment programmes for housing, sanitary services, roads and other services, to deal with current community demands and to anticipate needs arising from population growth. These programmes are reflected in the provisions of the development plans which local authorities are required by the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act to keep under systematic review by reference to planning and development needs which would include such factors as the age structure of the population.
It is not possible in reply to the question to give details of the physical planning being undertaken for housing, sanitary services, roads and development generally. The information sought would require to be abstracted from all the current development plans, and supplemented from the current works programmes of local authorities and of State bodies.
Would the Minister say whether his Department co-ordinates the forecasts and recommendations made in development plans prepared by planning authorities?
Yes.
Would the Minister say what role he envisages that regional development organisations should play in physical planning of these services?
That is a matter which has been very much under consideration for some time and has not yet been decided.
Would the Minister say whether he intends to give statutory authority to the regional development organisations?
This again is something which has been discussed with the regional development organisations on a number of occasions. Some of them are anxious to have it and some are not. There are a number of changes which will have to be made if, in fact, they are made statutory.