asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to encourage the creation and the fostering, where they do not already exist, of community associations and residents' and tenant representative groups.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Groups.
31.
The establishment of bodies such as community associations, and so on is primarily a matter for local people themselves. It would not be appropriate for me to take any direct action in the creation of such bodies. Under existing legislation, however, county councils and county borough corporations may declare a body concerned with furthering the general social and economic interests of the inhabitants of its area to be an approved local council. Such local authorities may then assist approved local councils by providing them with land or buildings or by giving them financial assistance. There are also powers, under the Planning Acts, enabling planning authorities to assist in certain circumstances development associations and bodies concerned with the development or preservation of the amenities of their area.
Would the Minister consider drawing up and issuing to local authorities guidelines for the encouragement of this type of local leadership in areas which are particularly in need of it by virtue of the fact that none exists there, in order to foster community life in urban areas in particular? Where there are organisations the need is not great.
Sections 14, 22 and 77 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 enable planning authorities to assist community facilities in appropriate cases. They may assist in money or in kind.
The point I am trying to make, perhaps not very well, is that where there are requests from local organisations the need is already being met. However, there are areas which are in decay where there is no local leadership and therefore no requests for aid. Should we as a society neglect that simply because people are not organised sufficiently to ask for assistance?
Is the Minister aware that although the legislation gives local authorities power to declare local bodies to be approved local councils, the existing legislation does not give power to local authorities to remove the title of "approved councils" from bodies which have gone out of existence and which are not any longer in a position to be representative of their communities, and that that is causing great difficulty for local authorities?
We can do something about it. We have power to approve.
Is there in the Department a register of all local organisations in the country and does he know how many there are?
I have not got that information with me but I can find out.