Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the Minister of State's response. It is not a criticism of the Department; it is just about the need for joined-up thinking. In that regard, I have a situation in Glanmire, for instance, where a total of 30 acres has been lying idle for ten years because it is owned by one organisation, which has not commenced any development yet it is not prepared to hand it back, whereas other organisations do not have the space. There needs to be engagement to make sure the land is made available because of the number of young people in the area – well over 1,500 young people in a secondary school alone, and at least another 1,500 if not 1,800 young people in primary schools. We have land that has the capacity to be developed but it has been idle for the past ten years with no proposals for its development. I have already been dealing with the Taoiseach on this matter, and the county council and the organisation itself. It is important that all relevant Departments are involved. It is time we had co-ordination between all of the organisations.

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