Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Hartstown community centre has been supported by years of voluntary community effort by a fantastic group of people. I want the Minister of State to declare that the Government will stand by the people of Hartstown and the area's community centre and provide it with the resources it desperately needs. The active crèche and preschool facility, as well as a separate Montessori school, serve more than 100 young children each day. I am mindful that the community centre is in the Taoiseach's constituency. Has the Minister of State spoken to the Taoiseach about this? We all agree with the Minister of State's comments about fire regulations but that does not solve the issue. We want him to tell us how we can access Government funding to help this community in its valiant efforts.

I raised this issue with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, in a parliamentary question about a week and a half ago. I can make the answer he gave available to the Minister of State. I agree with the proposal that we meet the Minister and Minister of State. However, the Minister referred us to Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government because his funds come through the mechanism of the local authority committees on development. The Minister of State and the Government must help this community in its hour of need.

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