asked the Taoiseach if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
Written Answers. - North Dublin City Development.
296.
My Department do not administer any projects of the type referred to.
297.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditure which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
My Department do not distinguish between north Dublin city and the rest of Dublin in an overall planning context. There are two major infrastructural developments under consideration which would either be sited in, or would provide infrastructural improvement for, north Dublin city.
It is at present the intention of the ESB to erect two combustion turbines for electricity generation at their North Wall premises. The first combustion turbine is due for commissioning in 1982-1983 and the second in 1983-1984.
If the natural gas distribution system now in place in Cork is extended by means of a pipeline to Dublin, then north Dublin city will be served ultimately by a natural gas supply. At the moment feasibility studies are in progress in regard to the provision of a Cork-Dublin pipeline and also engineering studies of the work required to upgrade the distribution system in Dublin are under discussion. If the pipeline project is found to be viable then the necessary upgrading work would start possibly in 1981 and extend through to 1983.
As these projects are in the planning stage it is not possible at this time to say what expenditures would be involved. As regards the natural gas project, I would emphasise that the studies and consultations currently in hands are for the purpose of assessing the technical and economic implications of the project and that no decision has been taken on whether or not to proceed with it.
298.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
My Department have no plans for such improvements or investments as referred to by the Deputy in his question.
299.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
The Industrial Development Authority are committed to spending approximately £4.5 million on the construction of factories in the north Dublin city area over the next year or so. This is in addition to an expenditure of £13.2 million actually incurred on land and factories over the past three years.
300.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
It is not clear what exact information the Deputy requires in the context of infrastructural improvements or what area of Dublin specifically should apply but as far as my Department are concerned all buildings other than prisons and places of detention are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. In relation to prisons and places of detention, if the Deputy indicates what precise information he needs and over what period, I will see if it is available.
301.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
It is not understood what exact information the Deputy requires and what area of Dublin specifically should apply. If the Deputy indicates the particular individual works and area relevant to his question I will make the information available to him, if possible.
302.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
In so far as my Department are concerned there are no proposals of the nature mentioned. As I informed the Deputy in reply to Question No. 274 on the 27 ultimo, details of improvements proposed to be carried out in the near future in military properties in north Dublin city area are being compiled and will be communicated to him when they are available.
303.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
In so far as I am responsible, capital and current account expenditures in the north Dublin city will only arise in relation to An Comhairle Oiliuna (AnCO) and the planned position up to 1983 is as follows:
(1) Capital Expenditure: New training centres (Finglas, Baldoyle and Jervis Street), £6.4 million; maintenance of existing centres (Cabra), £250,000; total-£6.65 million.
(2) Current Expenditure: In 1981 AnCO plans to spend £5 million on the operation of Cabra, Jervis Street, Beresford Place (which will be transferred to Jervis Street in 1981) and Finglas training centres. Figures for current expenditure after 1981 are not yet available.
304.
asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
My Department have no proposals or commitments of the type outlined in the Deputy's question in respect of north Dublin city.
305.
asked the Minister for Education if he will outline as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
Improvements will be made to inner city schools under such headings as external and internal repairs covering such items as walls, windows, roofs, gutters, doors, railings, gates, yards, floors, ceilings, lighting, stairs, staff-rooms, library, and so on.
306.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
Apart from normal ongoing salaries, wages and running expenses at the Veterinary Research Laboratory, Thorndale, and at the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, there are no proposals for expenditure in the north Dublin city area from my Department's Vote.
307.
asked the Minister for the Gaeltacht if she will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by her Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
Níl aon chaiteachas de chuid mo Roinne dírithe go sonrach ar an gceantar sin ach tig leis an gceantar tairbhe a fháil as caiteachas chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn.
308.
asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
1. Capital Expenditure: The following are details of the capital projects relating to the north Dublin city—
Projects in progress: (i) Construction of a new general hospital at Beaumont; (ii) Upgrading of St. Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital, which is a continuing process.
Projects at tender stage: Health Centre at Kilbarrack. This should commence shortly and the contract period is 60 weeks.
Projects in planning: (i) Major development at the Mater Hospital, (ii) Extension at the Rotunda Hospital, (iii) Addition to St. Mary's Hospital, Cappagh, (iv) Extension at St. Dympna's Alcoholic Unit, North Circular Road, (v) Provision of child and family guidance clinic at Coolock, (vi) Major development at St. Vincent's Home for the mentally handicapped, Navan Road, (vii) Provision of hostels for the mentally handicapped at Oakdown Road, Finglas, (viii) Extension at St. Michael's House, Ballymun, (ix) Provision of residential accommodation for profoundly deaf and multiply handicapped children at St. Mary's, Cabra, (x) Provision of additional accommodation at St. Joseph's School for the Deaf, Cabra.
It is not possible at this stage to indicate when these schemes will be effected. This will depend on progress of planning and on the availability of capital funds.
2. Non-capital Expenditure: As regards non-capital expenditure it is the practice to make available overall allocations to health boards to finance the operation of their services generally in a particular year. The distribution of the allocation between services and between the areas for which the boards are responsible is a matter for determination by the boards. Accordingly, detailed information is not available in my Department as to the proposed allocation of resources by the Eastern Health Board in respect of services for north Dublin city.
309.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments and when they will be effected.
The Department of Social Welfare in conjunction with the Office of Public Works have drawn up a building programme for new offices to serve the public. The proposals in this programme affecting north Dublin city are: Navan Road: An employment exchange at Old Cabra Road will be open to the public in mid-1981. Gandon House, Amiens Street: A public office to serve the north city area generally will be opened at Gandon House in 1981. Finglas: The plans for a new employment exchange have been approved. The site has been cleared and certain works have commenced. It is estimated that the exchange will be ready in two and a half to three years time. Blanchardstown: The employment exchange for this area will be incorporated into plans being furnished for Blanchardstown town centre and which are to be submitted to Dublin Corporation in the near future. Coolock: The Office of Public Works are seeking a suitable site for an employment exchange in the Coolock area.
310.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin City; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
My Department have no proposals to allocate resources to north Dublin city in any of the forms envisaged by the Deputy.
311.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital; or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
The information is not readily available and to assemble it in the format required by the Deputy would involve a disproportionate amount of staff time.
312.
asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditures which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments and when they will be effected.
As Minister for Transport I am not directly involved in the types of expenditure envisaged by the Deputy in so far as the north Dublin city area is concerned. There is, nevertheless, expenditure by bodies falling within my area of responsibility which can have a positive and significant impact on north Dublin city.
In relation to CIE's activities, the electrification of the Howth-Bray suburban rail service is a major development project on which work is currently proceeding. The project involves, in addition to the electrification of the lines, the acquisition of new rolling stock, the provision of new signalling and depot facilities and the opening of new stations on the line. The estimated capital cost of the project is £60 million at 1980 prices. It is expected that the project will be completed in 1983.
Dublin Port and Docks Board plan to spend a total of £5 million in 1981 of which £3.025 million will be in respect of infrastructure on the north side of the Liffey. The major work involved will be the construction, south of the B&I car ferry terminal, of a 200 metre long deepwater berth capable of taking the largest roll-on/roll-off vessels likely to come into use in the cross-channel trade. Other works will include the development of sites for cargo handling purposes (Alexandra Basin east) and the construction of roads and services.
The Deputy may also wish to refer to my reply to questions on 25 November last about the traffic management measures being developed by the Dublin Transportation Task Force, which I established earlier this year. The purpose of these measures is to achieve early improvement in traffic conditions in the Dublin area, including north Dublin city. A breakdown of the costs involved on the basis requested by the Deputy is not yet available.
313.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline, as specifically as possible, all proposed infrastructural improvements or investments and all resource allocations and capital or current account expenditure which are proposed to be made by his Department in respect of north Dublin city; the nature of the commitments; and when they will be effected.
The formulation and implementation of proposals for infrastructural improvements or investments is, in so far as the services for which I am responsible, essentially a matter for the appropriate local authority which in this case is Dublin Corporation. The necessary resources for the financing of future works for the various services such as housing, roads, sanitary services, miscellaneous environmental services, fire and emergency services and so on, will be determined within the context of Government decisions in relation to the budget and I am not in a position to anticipate such decisions.