Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 4

Written Answers. - Urban Renewal Schemes.

Jack Wall

Question:

178 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will agree to a transfer of an urban renewal site application to another site where the benefits of such a transfer would be to the local county; if such a transfer can be sought under the village renewal or urban renewal schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6174/01]

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

The 1999 urban renewal scheme made provision for the operation of a more planned, integrated and focused approach to tax incentive-based urban regeneration. Local authorities exercised an independent role in the identification of appropriate areas and the preparation of the integrated area plans for these areas.

In doing so they were assisted by the detailed guidelines issued to them; these set out the pur poses and aims of the scheme, the criteria to be used in selecting areas for which plans were to be prepared, and advice on the approach to be followed in preparing their plans. Local authorities were advised that the extent of designation was, of necessity, to be limited and well targeted, and that only areas that clearly fulfilled the objectives of the plans should be designated. The award of incentives could only be justified where it could be shown that they would assist in overcoming identifiable barriers to development.

Integrated area plan proposals prepared and submitted by local authorities were then subjected to detailed assessment by an expert advisory panel. The recommendations made by the panel were accepted in full and that is the basis on which designations are now being implemented.

Because of the targeted, area specific nature of the scheme as outlined, the question of transferring incentives to other sites does not arise. Furthermore, each area was examined on its merits and designated accordingly. To transfer incentives as suggested would be inappropriate.