Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 3

Written Answers. - Town Renewal Schemes.

Jack Wall

Question:

149 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the criteria applicable for inclusion in the town renewal plan as recently announced by his Department; if there is an appeal system available to the applicant in the event of being refused; if not, if he will have examinations made into the establishment of such a system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22413/00]

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

In accordance with the Town Renewal Act, 2000, it was a matter for the relevant county council to prepare town renewal plans, which were to include proposed sites for designation for tax incentives within the area covered by the town renewal plans. In doing so they were assisted by detailed guidelines issued to them; these set out the purpose and aims of the scheme, the criteria to be used in selecting towns for which plans were to be prepared and advice on the approach to be followed in preparing their plans, including selecting sites for designation. They were also advised that when identifying areas to be included in the town renewal plan consultations should take place with the local community and business interests.

County councils were advised that the extent of designation must necessarily be limited and well targeted and that only sites that clearly fulfilled the objectives of the plans should be designated. The award of incentives can only be justified where it can be shown that they will assist in overcoming identifiable barriers to development.

Town renewal plans submitted by the county councils were then examined by an expert panel set by for that purpose; the panel were confined to examining the sites recommended by the county councils by reference to the criteria contained in the guidelines. The panel comprised individuals with a broad range of relevant expertise in urban planning, architecture, conservation, etc.

In the course of their examination of the plans, the panel sought clarification from county councils on various issues where this was considered necessary. The expert advisory panel exercised an independent role in assessing the plans submitted and making recommendations on the sites to be designated. The recommendations made by the panel were accepted in full and that is the basis on which designations are now being implemented. It is not proposed to make any further designations under the scheme. The sites proposed for designation by the county councils, examined by the expert panel and subsequently approved for designation followed a very detailed, structured and well thought out process. I do not consider that an appeals system is necessary, feasible or practicable. My priority now is to ensure that the scheme is implemented effectively in order to ensure that the desired objectives are achieved.