Vol. 493 No. 4
140 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will give consideration to the submission by a chamber of commerce (details supplied) in County Tipperary of its review of the CAAS report in view of the fact the submission outlines in detail the needs of the area which is supported by many other organisations in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16585/98]
In the context of the arrangements made in preparation for a new urban renewal scheme, Tipperary South Riding County Council has submitted integrated area plans to my Department in respect of the towns of Carrick-on-Suir and Tipperary. Correspondence from Carrick-on-Suir Chamber of Commerce in relation to these integrated area plans has also been received. It is understood that Tipperary South Riding County Council arranged for discussions between the chamber of commerce and the consultants who prepared the plans on behalf of the county council on issues raised by the chamber of commerce.
The extent to which any case made by a local authority meets the criteria for the new scheme is undergoing examination by a broadly based expert advisory panel which I established last year to assess all of the plans submitted and provide advice in relation to proposals for the application of urban renewal tax reliefs. The correspondence from the Carrick-on-Suir Chamber of Commerce will be brought to the attention of the panel.
Until such time as plans have been examined by the panel and considered further in the light of the panel's advice, it will not be possible to say which towns are likely to be included in the new scheme. Furthermore, the announcement of details of designations under the new scheme must await the approval of the European Commission to the incentives proposed.
