asked the Minister for Local Government, with reference to a reply of 27th November last, if he is aware that the kerb wall around the College Drive open space, Terenure, Dublin, appears to be complete; and if he will state (a) in what detailed respect the Dublin County Council say its requirements have not been complied with; (b) by whom and when the provision of the open space was first suggested or required; and (c) what steps are now being taken to ensure proper development of the estate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Terenure (Dublin) Open Space
43.
Mr. Ryan
I am informed that the requirements of the Dublin County Council in relation to kerb walling on this estate have been completed. I understand that tree planting and shrub planting have yet to be completed. The provision of open spaces on the estate was required by the County Council as a condition attached to the grant of permission under the Planning Acts for the development of the estate. As regards the last part of the Deputy's question, the developers of the estate are aware of the requirements of the county council. It is the practice of the council not to take estates in charge until the council's requirements have been satisfactorily carried out.
44.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Local Government, with reference to a reply of 3rd December last, if he will state (a) the last date upon which a communication passed between the Dublin County Council and the developers of the open space at Wainsfort Park, Terenure; (b) details of the full requirements of the County Council; (c) by whom and when the provision of the open space was first suggested or required; and (d) what steps are now being taken to secure immediate and proper development of the open space.
I am informed that the last date upon which a communication passed between the Dublin County Council and the developers of the open space at Wainsfort Park was 9th May, 1963. It was a condition of the town planning permission given by the county council for development of this estate that all open spaces be levelled, sodded, seeded and fenced to the satisfaction of the county engineer, and that trees be planted on all grass verges and open spaces to the requirements of the county engineer.
As regards the last part of the Deputy's question, the developers of the estate are aware of the requirements of the county council. It is the practice of the council not to take estates in charge until the council's requirements have been satisfactorily carried out.
Does the Minister not agree that the punishments which now exist in respect of defaulting developers who do not carry out their responsibility in matters such as this do not seem to be sufficient to secure the end for which they were originally designed? Is it not unfair to deprive the tenants of houses on such estates of essential amenities? That is all that ensues, apparently, when these developers do not do their job. Will the Minister look again into this whole question with a view to fashioning a more effective system to ensure that developers will do what is required of them before the council finally settle with them?
For future developments we have devised a more satisfactory method whereby there will be some teeth in the powers of the local authority to see that their requirements are carried out. For those that are already in existence, the position is somewhat obscure and, to a degree, weak. But, on the other hand, progress is being made in a number of these unfinished estates. I hope the end of this type of thing will soon be in sight.