asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider the granting of money for the erection of community centres, subject to and in accordance with departmental regulations.
Written Answers. - Community Centres.
412.
There are no funds available to me from which I could make grants for the provision of community centres, but local authorities may assist in the provision of such centres and, in so far as they do, a substantial part of the cost incurred by them will now fall to be defrayed from central funds. Furthermore, while the environmental improvement schemes programme which is directed towards the provision of employment for young persons by local authorities would not enable grants to be made to voluntary bodies, I have suggested to local authorities that they might consider providing assistance to such bodies by way of labour for the erection of community centres. The cost of employment of young persons recruited through the National Manpower Service for such purpose will be recouped in full under the programme.