Vol. 408 No. 7
136 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment the reason Tuam, County Galway was not included in the urban renewal scheme given the unemployment problem in the town and area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Urban Renewal Act, 1986, an area may be declared a designated area where the Minister for the Environment is satisfied there is a special need to promote urban renewal within it. When selecting areas for designation I have had regard to criteria such as the extent of urban decay, need for urban renewal-conservation, potential for development, regional considerations and the need to redress adverse economic or social conditions. I have no doubt that many towns can lay claim to the need for designation. However, in order to maximise the impact of the scheme, designation must be restricted to the most urgent cases. I have no plans to extend the scheme at present.
