asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make available a building grant for community centres which are being proposed by various communities and in particular the Ballyfermot Community Association, Dublin.

There are no funds at my disposal at the present time to enable me to make grants towards the cost of such projects. Local authorities have power under various enactments to provide assistance to local associations who wish to build community centres and I understand that Dublin Corporation have received an application from the Ballyfermot Community Association for financial support towards the cost of the centre proposed at Ballyfermot and that this application is being considered.

(Cavan): Would the scheme not fall under the amenity grant scheme?

I understand that it does not. It does not contain any of the features of the amenity grants scheme. In other words, it does not contain a swimming pool or any of these things which rate for grant purposes under the amenity scheme.

(Cavan): Surely the amenity scheme does not apply to swimming pools? There is a special grants scheme for swimming pools?

Yes, but it is included as an amenity. Community centres and such rooms and indoor facilities do not come under amenities.