Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Dec 2002

Vol. 558 No. 6

Written Answers. - Local Authority Funding.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

186 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the projects funded to date from the Lucan Demesne, County Dublin, Development Fund; the projects awaiting funding; if the ?952,000 annual funding programme remains in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25329/02]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

187 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if all legal formalities transferring ownership of the relevant portions of Lucan Demesne, County Dublin, to each of the local authorities concerned have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25330/02]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

Fingal and Kildare County Councils have now signed up to the agreement with my Department whereby certain lands at Lucan Demesne will be transferred to them with the objective of establishing a Liffey valley park. South Dublin County Council had already signed up to the agreement in 1996. The Liffey valley park is to be owned and managed by the three county councils on a co-operative basis under an agreed management plan. The proposed development works include the provision of boundary treatment and improvement of entrances; pedestrian paths, footbridges and seating areas; playing fields and car parks; wildflower meadows; planting and tree surgery works; a visitors' centre, craftshops and tea rooms; and a machinery depot.

A budget of €952,000, £750,000, per annum over a period of five years has been agreed in principle for the implementation of the management plan and arrangements are currently being made to make a payment on account of €750,000. Some minor legal formalities remain to be completed in finalising this matter, but difficulty is not anticipated in relation to these.