COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

QUESTION NO. 16

QUESTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

"To ask the Chief Executive if there has been any survey carried out in recent times to identify the needs of newcomer South Dublin residents of minority religious faiths, such as Shia, Sunni, Ahmadiyya, living in growing population centres in the community, such as Lucan and Clondalkin, to have an access to places of worship outside of sports halls and meetings in housing estates; what plans are in place to identify suitable places of worship for hire and/or purchase from religious and traffic management points of view, to outline what consultations are ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter?"

REPLY:

The Census of population 2011 provides information on the religious faith of the residents of South Dublin County. There has been no specific survey.  Community centres and schools (outside of school hours) are generally appropriate locations for religious worship.  Any proposals for a place of worship will be considered on their merits, based on the nature and extent of the development and where located.  The Council has no plans to identify suitable places of worship for hire and/or purchase, but the Community Department does operate a network of community centres, many of which are available for hire.