Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 143: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be sanctioned for the plan to construct a women's refuge in Blanchardstown (details supplied). [35057/05]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 144: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether density guidelines and other factors used in assessing housing projects cannot be utilised to assess the design for a women's refuge in Blanchardstown (details supplied). [35058/05]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 145: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the cost cutting measures agreed by a group (details supplied) to its plan for a women's refuge in Blanchardstown in response to Fingal County Council in 2004 and more recently to his Department, it would not be feasible to seek further savings. [35059/05]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 146: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the need for a women's refuge in Dublin West, as expressed in the 1997 task force report on violence against women, he will contact the Departments of Health and Children and Justice, Equality and Law Reform with a view to getting agreement on an integrated, cross-departmental approach to co-ordinating the planning and funding mechanism to progress this project. [35060/05]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 147: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will meet with representatives of groups (details supplied) to discuss their plans for progressing the construction of a women's refuge in Blanchardstown. [35061/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 147, inclusive, together.

An application for funding under the voluntary housing capital loan and subsidy scheme has been received from Fingal County Council in respect of this project and clarification on a number of aspects sought from the council is awaited. When this is to hand the application will be further considered and officials from my Department will, if necessary, meet with the local authority and voluntary body to discuss ways in which the project may be progressed.

My Department's involvement relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the scheme, including certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the scheme and the level of support available from other State bodies, is the responsibility of the local authority, in this instance Fingal County Council. Local authority development plans set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area of the plan which should be informed by the housing strategy required under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.