asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give full details of employment measures announced by the Taoiseach on 23 October 1985 for which he has responsibility.
Written Answers. - Employment Measures.
57.
The measures announced by the Taoiseach in Dáil Éireann on 23 October 1985 which are likely to generate employment and for which I have responsibility relate to the Custom House docks site, certain other inner city areas, housing grants and community and leisure facilities.
The Custom House docks site will be acquired for a major redevelopment programme and a special development authority will be established to direct and control the development of the site. Leglislative proposals to provide for the establishment of the authority and the acquisition of the site are being prepared as a matter of urgency. A wide range of incentives to stimulate construction activity and to promote the development of the site will be made available. These will include: 100 per cent capital allowances on non-industrial buildings; section 23 type relief on new dwellings; double rent allowance offset against tax for traders; full rates relief for ten years.
Additional programmes of inner city reconstruction and development are being instituted in designated areas in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. The precise areas for designation will be announced following the completion of consultations which are already taking place with the local authorities involved. A range of incentives will be made available in respect of designated areas including: capital allowances for commercial development; a new 5 per cent tax allowance on the purchase price of private dwellings which will apply annually for ten years; double rent allowance offset against tax; full rates relief for ten years.
A new scheme of house improvement grants is being introduced to provide substantial grants to enable householders to carry out improvements to their homes. The new scheme provides for a special grant of up to £5,000 for the repair and reconstruction of older houses and in relation to dwellings generally, provides for a range of generous grants for various categories of repair and extension etc. works. These grants will be available for construction work involving the employment of legitimate building contractors. Full details of the scheme are set out in Memorandum H.A.2 and the addendum thereto issued by my Department. A copy of the memorandum and addendum has been sent to all Deputies and Senators.
In addition a substantial programme for the provision of improved community and leisure facilities and other general amenities is being introduced to assist areas of greatest social need. A sum of £5 million is being allocated for this purpose. It is proposed that the scheme will operate to support the carrying out of environmental and other improvements in local authority housing areas, as envisaged in paragraph 5.92 of the national plan, as well as to provide community and leisure facilities in these and other areas.
Overall, I am satisfied that the carrying out of the various measures that I have outlined will have substantial effects on employment and output in the building sector and in other sectors of activity associated with the industry.