asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to be in a position to sanction the purchase of a housing site at Newcastle, County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Newcastle (Dublin) Housing Site.
53.
As was explained in reply to the Deputy's previous question in this matter, the acquisition of lands for housing development specifically is not subject to my approval. Dublin County Council's application for sanction to the purchase of 36 acres of land at Newcastle, County Dublin, was made under section 82 of the Local Government Act, 1946, which covers advance acquisition where the local authority have not determined the purpose for which the land will be used.
The Council were informed on 15th December last, following examination of the proposal, that it was not possible to approve of it in the absence of a full report relating the acquisition and use of the site to the development objectives for the area generally. Such report has not been received.
Is this a new condition which has been introduced in relation to the advance purchase of site land in anticipation of housing needs, as required by the Department, that it must be fitted into the overall plan and that that explanation must arrive in the Minister's Department before sanction is given? The deal for these site lands was made over 12 months ago and the price was fixed and still no sanction has been received from the Department.
The acquistion of land specifically for housing development is not subject to my approval. The council applied for sanction to purchase this land under section 82 of the Local Government Act 1946, which covers acquisition where the local authority has not determined the purpose for which the land will be used. They were asked to give a report relating the acquisition of the site to the development objective for the area and they have not done that.