Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Urban Renewal Scheme.

Austin Deasy

Question:

199 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the urban renewal designation submitted by Dungarvan Urban Council which includes the old Waterford Foods premises will be included in the new designated areas scheme. [8440/99]

Austin Deasy

Question:

200 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact there was a clear indication given to Dungarvan Urban Council following the closure of Waterford Foods that the centre of Dungarvan town would be included in the designated area for urban renewal for the purpose of attracting replacement industry; and if this will be examined as a matter of urgency. [8485/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together.

Designations under the new urban renewal scheme were based on Integrated Area Plans submitted by local authorities and were in line with recommendations made by an expert advisory panel which I established to assess all of the plans submitted. The IAPs were drawn up on the basis of detailed guidelines prepared by the expert panel and issued to local authorities. These guidelines made it clear that, in selecting areas for the preparation of IAPs, 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.

The panel considered the amount of land proposed for designation in Dungarvan by Waterford County Council to be excessive. A number of areas suggested by the Council for designation were not recommended by the panel. With regard to the Waterford Foods site, the panel confined their recommendation for designation to one sub-area at Bridge House, Davitts Quay. This sub-area will qualify for commercial tax incentives only which cannot be brought into effect until approved by the EU Commission under State aid rules. The expert panel exercised an independent role in assessing the plans submitted and making recommendations on the sub-areas to be designated in the context of these plans. The recommendations made by the panel were accepted in full and that is the basis on which designation is now being implemented. There is no proposal to designate further areas under the urban renewal scheme which runs until 28 February 2002.