Vol. 478 No. 3
56 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment if he will designate an area of 0.5 km in radius from the centre of the square in Tuam, County Galway, for urban renewal status with immediate effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11238/97]
65 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for the Environment the reason a project (details supplied) in County Galway has not been sanctioned to date; the date on which this will be done; the details of the project to be sanctioned; if his attention has been drawn to the urgency of this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11121/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 65 together.
An overall review of the urban renewal schemes, as they have operated to date, has been in progress for some time. As part of the review, a consultants' study on the impact of the schemes in economic, social and architectural terms has been completed and published. Submissions were invited from interested persons and organisations in relation to the study's conclusions and recommendations and the consultative process culminated in a conference in Dublin Castle on 25 March last. A framework for future urban renewal policy is currently in course of preparation.
There are no proposals at this stage to extend the present urban renewal scheme to any additional areas. It would be inappropriate to consider what new areas, if any, might be suitable for designation as part of any future scheme until general policy in relation to the next phase of urban renewal is determined in the light of the review.
