asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that the construction of community centres in Cherry Orchard and Rowlagh in Dublin, for which grants and plans have been approved by his Department, has been placed in jeopardy as a result of the refusal of the Construction Industry Federation to agree to the use of AnCO labour on part of the construction work; if, in view of the fact that the grants may be lost if substantial work is not in progress by December 31, he will extend the time limit for the start of the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Community Centres.
15.
On 20 March 1986 I made grant allocations of £100,000 and £60,000 towards the provision of community buildings in Ballyfermot and Rowlagh, respectively. The allocations were made on the basis that detailed planning and execution of the projects would be a matter for the local groups involved, under the general supervision of the local authority. I understand that the Construction Industry Federation are objecting to AnCO involvement in the projects under the CYTP scheme. I regret this development and I am taking up the matter with my colleague, the Minister for Labour, to see if the difficulties can be resolved.
Is the Minister aware that in regard to the two cases I have mentioned it is now 3 December and plans had been made for AnCO to do the job? They were ready to go ahead when the CIF objected. If the objection is pursued now they will be unable to get the job done before the end of the year. Therefore, I have asked in the question whether, if the CIF pursue their objection and it cannot be overcome, the time can be extended so that another type of contract can be entered into.
The conditions of the scheme provided that the grants should be paid in respect of works which are certified to be carried out before the end of this year. In relation to one of the schemes I gather that the local authority involved will be in a position to certify works in respect of expenditure on the site generally. In relation to the other scheme, no work has commenced and because of the nature of the scheme involved it will not be possible to carry forward unexpended allocations into next year.
Can the Minister say which one he is referring to?
Yes. In relation to the Rowlagh project the local authority there are in a position to certify works to the extent of the grant-aid allocated. Obviously, the rest of the reply refers to the other one.
In view of the nature of this allocation, not just to Rowlagh and to Cherry Orchard but to this scheme which is running out on 31 December, and in view of the fact that many of the projects have received notification only in recent weeks, will the Minister consider extending the time limit into 1987 to allow the projects to get under way?
As the House appreciates, this is voted capital and must be expended in the year in which it is voted.
Coming back on the latter point which the Minister is referring to and to Cherry Orchard, my understanding is that the local authority, Dublin Corporation, have in the last couple of weeks certified that the project was ready to go ahead and would fit into the criteria set down by the Minister. Is that not a fact?
My understanding is that work has not commenced on the Ballyfermot project. However, if the local authority are in a position to certify expenditure during 1986 we will, of course, grant-aid that expenditure up to a sum of £100,000.
I should mention in relation to the question asked earlier by Deputy Burke that the promoters of the projects which have been grant-aided had it emphasised to them that the expenditure must be incurred during 1986 in order to qualify.
I accept the point the Minister makes in regard to notification, but let me say to him that many of them received their notification only in the last couple of weeks with the reallocation from Tallaght. Is he not aware that many of them will not be able to make it before the end of December? Is there no way that, despite the fact that it is voted capital, he can extend it for next year?
I have explained the difficulty in relation to voted capital, but I have inquired in relation to this matter in recent days. I understand that the majority of the projects will be certified by the local authorities. To date the local authorities have indicated that they are in a position to certify the allocations for virtually all of the schemes. In relation to the other projects I have arranged for an officer of my Department to contact the promoters directly in an effort to ensure that they will be in a position to have the money expended and vouched for before the end of the year.
Céist a 16.
There is something else——
There is something else. I want to deal with this question.
Could I raise on the Adjournment the failure of this Government to prevent beet being transferred by the management of the Irish Sugar Company from the Tuam sugar beet catchment area to Carlow?
I will communicate with the Deputy.