Vol. 496 No. 6
259 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the report, A Rural Living - A Myth or a Reality, published by the Roscommon Smallholders Action Group (details supplied); the plans, if any, he has to introduce a rural tax incentive policy to increase development opportunities in rural towns and villages in view of recommendations made in that report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22396/98]
My attention has been drawn to the contents of this report. As the Deputy is aware I introduced a pilot rural renewal scheme in this year's Finance Act. The scheme covers the Upper Shannon region, namely all of counties Leitrim and Longford and parts of counties Cavan, Roscommon and Sligo. As the scheme has been introduced on a pilot basis I have no plans, therefore, to extend it to other areas before an assessment is carried out on the scheme's operation in the Upper Shannon region.
