Local Authority Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Ceisteanna (996)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1178 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 432 of 6 July 2004, the date on which he learned of the changed plans of the local authority in respect of the project; the date on which he wrote to the local authority requesting a full report on the matter; if the report will deal with all aspects of the purchase and disposal to determine whether standard procedures were followed and the State secured value for money in respect of the disposal of the site; if the final report will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21256/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

Following this matter being raised by the local government auditor in March 2004 officials of my Department entered into correspondence with the local authority with regard to the car park concerned in this matter. It was as a result of these inquiries regarding the grant that officials of my Department ascertained in April this year that the €63,500 contribution towards car parking facilities at Trim Castle was used towards the provision of a temporary car park and that the area of the temporary car park has since been sold to a private developer.

Since then my Department has sought further information in correspondence with the town council through which it is intended that a resolution of this matter will be achieved. The local government auditor will make his report on the matter in due course and this report will be duly considered by my Department.