Vol. 528 No. 2
161 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to approve a new scheme of urban and village renewal schemes for resurfacing and improvements to footpaths to replace the last scheme which ceased in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29859/00]
Following on from the urban and village renewal grants scheme 1994-1999, the National Development Plan 2000-2006 provides for a continuation of a programme of urban and village renewal with investment of over £100 million over the seven year period. This investment is divided between the operational programmes for the Border midland western region and the south and east region. The European Commission approved the operational programmes on 27 November 2000. Accordingly, details of the urban and village renewal measures of the local infrastructure sub-programmes will be circulated shortly to local authorities inviting submission of suitable proposals for funding under these measures.
The selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded under the new measures will be a matter for the local authorities, having regard to EU and national regulations and policies.
It is hoped to notify local authorities of these allocations for 2001 early in the new year.
