Vol. 361 No. 7
asked the Minister for the Environment the reason Galway city has not been included in the inner city renewal programme announced last week; if he is aware of extensive delapidation of part of Galway's inner city and the devastation caused in the construction industry in the city by the present recession; and, in view of this, if he will now include Galway in the inner city renewal programme.
37.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will extend recently announced tax incentives for inner city development to include Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 37 together. The programme of tax incentives to encourage inner city development and reconstruction announced on 23 October last is intended to secure the redevelopment of areas most in need and where special efforts are required to encourage investment in urban renewal projects. In deciding to apply the new programme to Dublin Cork and Limerick, the Government took account of the fact that these are the cities where the problems of inner city decay and dereliction are most acute, persistent and extensive. The operation of the scheme will be kept under constant review bearing in mind the situation in other urban areas. I should add that considerable benefits are likely to accrue in terms of employment in the construction industry and the refurbishment of many older housing units in inner urban areas from the revised system of housing grants which is also being introduced.
