Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 6

Written Answers. - Urban Renewal Schemes.

Ulick Burke

Question:

202 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he will designate Tuam, County Galway, under the 1998 urban renewal scheme in response to the submission by Galway County Council listing Tuam in an integrated area plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12731/98]

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 Tuam was submitted by Galway County Council.

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 recommendations, it will not be possible to say which towns are likely to be included in the new scheme.