asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider making grants available for the purchase of semi-mature trees by community associations in urban areas.
314.
Written Answers. - Urban Improvement Schemes.
313.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider making grants available to community associations in urban areas who submit projects for environmental improvements in their districts.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together.
A considerable programme of environmental works will be carried out in the current year with the aid of grants from central funds. This money is being made available under the special budget allocation for financing schemes of youth employment and this scheme will be operated by local authorities. I intend to request the local authorities to have regard to any suggestions put forward by community associations in selecting suitable works.
There are no other funds available to me from which grants for the purposes indicated could be made but planning authorities are empowered under the provisions of section 14 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, to assist— either in money or kind or by the provision of services—bodies or persons concerned in the preservation or development of amenities. Under the provisions of section 50 the authorities may assist any person or body proposing to plant trees, shrubs or other plants by providing the trees and so on or by a grant of money. A decision as to whether assistance should be given in any particular case is a matter for the individual planning authority concerned.