Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 4

Written Answers. - Urban Council Status.

David Stanton

Question:

122 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the conditions which are required for a town to achieve town commissioner status and urban district council status respectively; the procedures to be followed by a town or community in order to apply for such status; the most recent granting of town commissioner and urban district council status respectively; the applications being considered by his Department at present; the plans he has to modify requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16480/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

No urban district council, UDC, has been established since the foundation of the State. Details of the four town commissions so established are set out below. The relevant legal provisions date back to the mid-19th century. There are no applications currently under consideration. The Local Government Bill, 2000 currently before the House will, inter alia, consolidate and modernise local government law and allow for the establishment of a town council – the title used for all town local authorities – in a town with a population of 7,500 or more, as recommended in the report, Towards Cohesive Local Government – Town and County. I also refer to the reply to Question No. 209 of 8 May 2001.

Town Commission	Year of Establishment
Leixlip	1988
Greystones	1984
Shannon	1982
Tramore	1948