asked the Minister for the Environment the projected cost to the Exchequer of acquiring the four-acre site at Shandon Park, Dublin, as announced in the arrangement between Deputies Haughey and Gregory-Independent in the Dáil on 9 March 1982.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Site Acquisition.
7.
(Dublin South-East): The Government are providing £200,000 in loan finance to enable Dublin Corporation to acquire and develop Shandon Park, Cabra, as a public park. The proportion of the cost of servicing this loan which will, in effect, fall to be met by the Exchequer will be in excess of 50 per cent.
Will the Minister state when this money will be provided?
(Dublin South-East): Following the announcement of the Government's intention to make £200,000 available to Dublin Corporation for the acquisition and development of Shandon Park as a public park the corporation applied to the Department on 23 March 1982. The corporation were informed on 19 April 1982 that a council resolution authorising the borrowing of £30,000, in addition to the £170,000 which they had already authorised, should be submitted to the Department. On receipt of the resolution a loan of £200,000 from the Local Loans Fund will be recommended to the Minister for Finance for approval.
Is the Minister aware that the contract has now closed and that the sisters have been paid by the corporation, so that the delay by the Government in making the funds available represent a further drain on the corporation's funds? More seriously, is the Minister aware that what he is now talking about, a loan to the Government, represents a substantial backtrack on what was agreed at Summerhill between Deputy Haughey and another Member of this House in an attempt to improve conditions in Deputy Keating's constituency? Is he aware that that agreement provided that central Government would provide the funds for the necessary acquisition and that the corporation believe they are getting £200,000 to buy the park in question?
(Dublin South-East): The Deputy's remarks are not founded on fact. Dublin Corporation made a loan initially, as is the normal procedure, for the moneys to be funded from the Local Loans Fund. I was a member of Dublin Corporation at that time. If the Deputy wishes to cast aspersions on that arrangement he is at liberty to do so but he is not accurate. I can give the House the dates on which the original loan was applied for and the letter from the Minister for the Environment to Dublin Corporation which is dated 19 April. I am sure the Deputy is aware that it would not be an optimum usage of money from revenue to finance a long-term asset of this kind. The Department of the Environment are not going to do that. My Department would not be a party to providing moneys for a long-term asset in the manner which the Deputy suggests.
Does the Minister realise that his comments are going to cause gloom and consternation in the community and environment department of Dublin Corporation who have arranged their affairs for the rest of the year on the basis that they are getting £200,000 to buy Shandon Park? They had every reason to believe that, given the terms of the agreement signed by Deputy Haughey and witnessed by Mr. Michael Mullen.
(Dublin South-East): I totally disagree with the Deputy because, apart from the gloom and doom he is speaking about, I spoke to the city manager and the Deputy's comments are not founded on fact.
How much money is the Minister's Department going to give Dublin Corporation for this purchase? When, precisely, will the money be paid to the local authority as they are at present existing on borrowings for which they have to pay very substantial interest rates?
(Dublin South-East): I gave that information a few minutes ago. Perhaps the Deputy was not listening.
I was listening. The Minister is normally extremely courteous and I appreciate that. Would he make it very clear to the House exactly how much money the Department of the Environment, or any other Government Department, are going to give the local authority without strings, as a gift, donation or through a Supplementary Estimate to buy this site?
(Dublin South-East): I have given the information to the House. It saddens me that Deputies, particularly those from Dublin, are endeavouring to go against the system by which the moneys are paid.
How much?
(Dublin South-East): I have told the Deputy the sum is £200,000. It is important that the information is given to the House and it is not misconstrued. The extra provision for Dublin Corporation in the 1982 budget on the capital side, not from current expenditure as has been suggested, is £200,000 for the acquisition of Shandon Park.
When will that be paid?
(Dublin South-East): On receipt of the resolution. I can give the Deputy the date when the Minister wrote, so we are waiting to get some information.
Could the Minister guide me, as a new Member of the House? What does a commitment in terms that central Government will provide necessary funds to acquire immediately mean if it does not mean that the Government are going to give £200,000 to the corporation to but the site, which is what the corporation thought? What else can it mean?
(Dublin South-East): I am not quite sure how to interpret the Deputy's request for guidance. The information requested has been given.
Is the Minister now saying that the cost of acquiring this park, at £50,000 per acre, now falls to be paid for by the ratepayers of Dublin city, together with the interest charges on the loan drawn from the Local Loans Fund and which will be repayable to the Exchequer?
(Dublin South-East): I have to read the answer again for Deputy Boland although I have already told him the position.
I am merely asking whether this money is being funded exclusively from the Exchequer or whether it is a repayable loan, the repayment capital and interest on which are to be made by the ratepayers of Dublin?
That was given in the reply, Deputy Boland.
(Dublin South-East): Portion of the cost of servicing this loan which will, in effect, fall to be met by the Exchequer, will be in excess of 50 per cent.