Vol. 467 No. 1
106 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the cost to date of the designated status granted to Ballymun Town Centre, Dublin 11; the date this status expires; the alterations, if any, that can be made to encourage investment in the shopping centre in view of the fact that the refurbishment, even with designation, does not appear to be a huge success. [12832/96]
Ballymun was designated in 1993 under the 1986 urban renewal scheme which terminated at end-July 1994. In order to assist developers experiencing difficulties in getting tenants for their premises, a two year extension for lease signing for double rent purposes was provided for in the 1994 Finance Act which brought the termination date to 31 July 1996 in the case of the general designated areas. With regard to the question of cost, I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information sought is not available at present and that a detailed examination of the individual tax files, which could be carried out only at a disproportionate cost, would be required to obtain it.
A review is now taking place of the last ten year's experience of urban renewal so as to better inform future policy in this area. As part of this review, a team of independent consultants have been engaged and are expected to make their findings known during the summer. Until this review is completed and evaluated, it has been decided that there will be no further designations at this stage.
In any event, as the Deputy rightly points out, even with designated status the redevelopment of Ballymun Town Centre does not appear to be a huge success. I feel in the circumstances that there may be other more appropriate options which might be better suited to meeting the particular needs of the Ballymun area. One such option would be the granting of aid under the EU URBAN Initiative operated by the Department of the Taoiseach.
This programme focuses on finding solutions to serious social problems in depressed urban areas through supporting schemes for economic and social revitalisation, the renovation of facilities and infrastructures and environmental improvement. A sum of about £16 million is to be made available to Ireland under the initiative with co-financing of about £4 million to be provided by the Exchequer. The URBAN programme will apply in areas of Cork and Dublin. Ballymun is among the areas selected in Dublin.
