Vol. 423 No. 8
12 Mr. Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider having the Bond Street-Marrowbone Lane area of Dublin 8 included as a designated area in order to improve urban renewal in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
27 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment the progress being made in towns which have been given relief under the urban renewal scheme; and whether he will recommend any changes in the criteria being applied when designating an area.
44 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to extend the urban renewal scheme in the near future; if he will consider areas in County Kildare in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 27 and 44 together.
With the exception of the Custom House Docks area and the Temple Bar area in Dublin, the tax incentives available under the urban renewal scheme will expire on 31 May 1994 as provided for in the Finance Act, 1992.
I have no proposals at present to extend the scheme to the areas suggested or to review the criteria for designating areas under the Urban Renewal Act, 1986. At 1 January 1992 the scheme had given rise to private sector investment of £773 million on development projects as follows: projects completed, £257 million; projects in progress, £136 million; projects in planning £380 million.
This is in addition to the Custom House Docks project valued at some £400 million.
Is the Minister aware that the area in question, the Bond Street-Marrowbone Lane area of Dublin 8, is particularly suited to the objectives set out in the renewal scheme in that there is a strong local sense of community in the area, there is already a mix of industrial, commercial and residential use there and it is an area that suffers from severe dilapidation, as the Minister will see if he makes even a brief visit there. Would the Minister agree that this area conforms to the other clear criterion underlying the scheme, that is, its location very near the centre of the city which makes it suitable for residential, industrial and commercial development? Would he not reconsider the matter in view of those very strong arguments in favour of the area?
It is accepted that many other centres would benefit from designation. However, to designate on a wide basis would be counter-productive as it would make the special rating and tax reliefs into standard ones. Designation must be limited in order to avoid dissipating its effect. Unfortunately, many areas throughout the country which have sought inclusion as designated areas are not covered in the plans.
That is not what the Minister told Deputy Connolly, or, perhaps it was his predecessor who gave the information. Neither is it what the Minister, Deputy Flynn, decided for Castlebar.
