Vol. 498 No. 6
132 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will report on the operation of the urban and village renewal schemes; and if similar schemes will be available after 1999 in view of the benefits to date of these schemes. [28146/98]
A report is produced on an annual basis on the implementation of the EU Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development 1994-99, a subprogramme of which relates to urban and village renewal. These annual reports include details of the activities involved and the progress being achieved in the overall implementation of the operational programme, including the urban and village renewal subprogramme under which funding is provided for urban and village renewal and conservation projects to be carried out. A copy of the latest annual report on the operational programme is being sent to the Deputy.
The case for the continuation of the urban and village renewal schemes post 1999 will be pursued in the context of the negotiation of the next tranche of EU Structural Funds.
