Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - Community Development.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

118 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps he proposes to take to encourage local authorities to have children's playgrounds and amenities for children in the vicinity of large housing estates and in urban centres of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2970/02]

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

Under the Local Government Act, 2001, local authorities are empowered to promote the interests of the local community in relation to amenity, recreation and other functions. It is therefore a matter for each local authority to determine the extent to which playgrounds should be provided within urban areas.

The provision of open spaces, recreational facilities and amenity areas in local authority housing schemes is also a matter for the individual housing authorities in the first instance. Appropriate limited facilities of this kind may be funded from my Department's capital allocations where the work is undertaken in conjunction with the provision of new local authority housing or the refurbishment of existing housing under the remedial works scheme.