Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is a tremendous community spirit among the residents and many local community activities but people feel the need of a multifunctional community centre. The area was developed on the basis that it would be the size of Waterford city which means up to 50,000 people. I accept that Waterford will expand in the future. It is a huge new urban district.

People feel it is at a critical point in its development. If we do not come in with community facilities in the next year or two we could lose the area and would then be facing remedial measures, which we do not want. The indicative cost is about €6 million or €7 million. It would be important for the Department to be one of the stakeholders or pillars to allow this to be done. Part of the problem is that we have two county councils doing opposite things on the other side of the border, with smaller community spaces. We need to have everybody together in a multifaceted effort to create a community.

In respect of pastoral centres founded by different religious organisations but belonging to the whole community, is the Minister in favour of supports for them as well?

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