Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 7

Written Answers. - Urban Renewal Scheme.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

196 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received an integrated development plan for Listowel, County Kerry; if he will ensure that the submission is approved in view of the fact that the town was not designated under previous urban renewal schemes resulting in an outflow of investment funds from Listowel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11252/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

Under the new urban renewal scheme, which is due to come into operation on 1 August 1998, an integrated area plan for Listowel was submitted by Kerry County Council, as were plans in respect of Killarney, Tralee, Castleisland and Cahirciveen.

Guidelines for the new urban renewal scheme made it clear that local authorities were expected to give priority to areas in cities and towns with strong urban characteristics and the highest concentrations of physical decay and socio-economic disadvantage in selecting areas for the preparation of integrated area plans. The extent to which the integrated area plans submitted to my Department meet the criteria for the new scheme will be assessed by a broadly based expert advisory panel which I established last year to assess all of the plans submitted and make recommendations in relation to the designation of areas for tax incentives. Until such time as the plans have been examined by the expert advisory panel and considered further in the light of the panel's recommendation, it will not be possible to say which towns are likely to be included in the new scheme.