Vol. 467 No. 7
129 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht whether he allocated any budget towards implementation of the consultants' suggestions for developing the Grand Canal corridor; and the proportion of that budget designated for the Grand Canal Basin. [14411/96]
The aim of the Grand Canal Corridor Study, which I published in July 1994, is to identify a physical planning framework for the section of the waterway from Grand Canal Dock (Ringsend Basin) to Lucan Road Bridge that will bring together the existing environmental, commercial and social elements in a co-ordinated and integrated manner. In order to provide the necessary impetus for the implementation of strategy and proposals, I quickly set up a task force under the chairmanship of Senator Pat Magner. Furthermore, I arranged for the appointment of a regeneration officer last year to encourage and co-ordinate the activities of public, private and community interests in regard to the physical and environmental regeneration of the corridor.
The budgetary allocation in 1996 for the Grand Canal Corridor area is £620,000. This includes provision for logistic support and advice for community employment schemes organised by the regeneration officer in the Clondalkin and Ballyfermot areas. A community sponsored barge restoration scheme will also be undertaken this year in the Clondalkin area with the support of my Department. Furthermore, the waterways service, in collaboration with private sector developers, will organise landscaping works on the canal banks later this year at the Parkwest Business Park, Ballyfermot.
