asked the Minister for Labour if he will substantially increase the grant allocated under the capital programme for 1985 to the proposed community centre at Firhouse, County Dublin in view of (1) the urgent need for that centre, (2) the fact that 1985 is National Youth Year, (3) the local community's projected commitment of £400,000 or 5 per cent of the total cost, (4) the difference of approximately £250,000 between the projected final cost and the total of the community contribution plus State and local authority aid, (5) the fact that the value added tax contribution to the State from the building cost and from fees would be more than the approved State grant and (6) the fact that, as a result of the building operations, the State will receive in tax revenue and PRSI contributions and save in social welfare payments the sum of approximately £150,000.
Written Answers. - Firhouse (Dublin) Community Centre.
599.
Under the national plan Building on Reality 1985-87, the sum of £1 million has been made available to me this year to provide capital grant aid towards the construction of community and recreational facilities. There are very heavy demands on the limited funds available to me and it will only be possible to grant-aid a small number of the many deserving applications received. The offer of £75,000 to Firhouse Community Council was one of the largest allocations of grant aid under the programme. I regret that, in view of the number of competing demands, it is not possible to increase the amount of that offer. Officials of my Department recently met representatives of Firhouse Community Council to explain the position fully to them.