asked the Minister for the Environment the present position concerning the development proposals by Dublin Corporation for the inner city area; and his intentions in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Inner City Area.
2.
The corporation's general planning intentions for the redevelopment of the inner city area are set out in the draft development plan by which they are guided in their own direct activities and in considering proposals by private and commercial interests for development in the area.
In so far as housing operations are concerned, as a result of the policy initiated by the then Minister for Local Government, Deputy Tully, the corporation adopted a central city development programme in January 1974. This envisaged the provision of new houses in areas which have been traditionally residential in character, the building of dwellings on cleared sites and the conservation as far as possible of existing sound housing stock. The position as regards that programme is that by 30 September 1981, they had completed 1,041 houses in 14 schemes; on that date 128 houses were under construction in six schemes, tenders had been invited for six other schemes comprising 287 houses, 914 houses were being planned in 22 areas and 639 further sites were in process of acquisition.
My intentions are to facilitate by all means appropriate to my Department the promotion by the corporation of suitable objectives and schemes for development, renewal and revival in the central city area.
Would the Minister of State care to expand on a recent letter sent by his Department to the corporation which seems to have set back the corporation's proposals by at least two or three years?
I must take issue with the Deputy on this point. Proposals were submitted to my Department and I had them examined. I indicated to the corporation that certain changes should take place in the interest of good planning. There is no question of a setback of two or three years; it is merely a question of redesign and trying to have good planning.
The Minister of State will be aware that any alteration in plans in a scheme of this major size will take months or even years to effect. Is the Minister of State taking into account that this is a very special area of Dublin city and is providing a national opportunity to do something positive with the inner city area of our capital city? What are the Minister's views on this?
I am well aware that this is an important area. I was at a dinner for planners recently and I told them that there is a challenge to be met here. I told them that any development here would affect the entire north city area. That is why I must be careful about this matter and progress slowly in order to ensure that the right degree of planning is carried out. We have not yet received an action plan for the area from the corporation and there is some dispute about this. The plan the Deputy mentioned is with regard to housing but it is not a major housing programme. The Deputy should know that any changes that are necessary can be and will be implemented quickly.
Is the Minister following up the initiative undertaken in the Department prior to the change of Government with regard to the proposal of the Port and Docks Board for the site adjoining the Custom House? Is he having regard to the importance of redevelopment of that site not only for the city but for the country also?
As the Deputy is aware, that area is subject to a planning appeal to An Bord Pleanála and I do not know what will be the outcome. I am anxious that the type of development that takes place will have regard to the general area.
I am calling Question No. 3.
The Chair has been very understanding about this matter but I should like to ask one final supplementary question.
I have been very understanding. I hold the dubious record of getting through the least number of questions.
I would appreciate it very much if I could ask one final supplementary question. Will the Minister agree that there is a major need for transfer of some office development to the north city area, to improve the general development? Much of this kind of development has taken place in the south city area.
As the Deputy is aware, we live in a private enterprise society and people have certain views about where they wish to build. If we structure the right kind of development in a designated area it will attract a good type of development in the north side of the city.
The Minister could direct Government offices to the north side.
We will be doing something on the site of the Department of Education.
The Minister could send the Department of Posts and Telegraphs to the north side. There is enough development in Ballsbridge. The Dublin 4 district is doing all right.