I thank the Minister for Education for her presence on behalf of the Minister for the Environment to take this motion to extend the urban renewal scheme to Rathkeale, County Limerick. It is a unique case because of the special circumstances which prevail there. Almost 45 per cent of the town's population are travellers and two cultures live in relative harmony in the town, although there are some tensions. The special circumstances make it important that the town would be considered for the urban renewal scheme. Many of the commercial premises and some of the residential premises in the centre of the town have been withdrawn from commercial or residential use. This is because the traders in the travelling community have purchased these premises and turned them into stores for furniture. Most of the traders are in the furniture business. It is important to restore the centre of the town to commercial activity. The extension of the urban renewal scheme would provide an incentive to do this and would attract business back to the town.
The decline in the physical fabric of the main street of Rathkeale is a serious problem. The inner core of the town is decaying with many of the buildings being derelict, dilapidated, unoccupied and disused. The blight of decay which has strangled the physical, social and economic life of the town must be stopped. People need to be enticed to live in the town. The potential of the town to attract private investment and development is depressed because of the physical environment of decay. There is little interest on the part of many owners of properties to undertake development of the buildings.
The designation of the main street in Rathkeale for the purposes of urban renewal would lead to a significant private sector investment in such properties and significantly contribute to the improvement of the town. The Rathkeale Enterprise Committee is unable to address the problem of dereliction alone. The increasing problem of dereliction and dilapidation on Rathkeale's main street is highlighted by the survey undertaken by the committee. Of every ten buildings on the main street four are derelict, dilapidated, unoccupied or disused. Such buildings are often boarded up.
The population of Rathkeale has declined in recent years, contributing to the spread of dereliction and decline. In 1991 there were 1,803 people living in Rathkeale and in 1996 the population was 1,546. Yet, the population of neighbouring towns has increased dramatically. Two thirds of the people living on the main street are elderly and they do not have children who are likely to continue living there.
The main street is an area that needs to be designated. The widespread dereliction, decline and disuse of the buildings must be addressed by tax designation. For many years a market for second hand property has not existed because of the number of neighbouring derelict buildings. No new residential development has taken place there. An alarming number of businesses in the town have closed and such a loss of economic activity is directly related to the decline in the population. In compiling a strategic plan for the main street, the development committee consulted Limerick County Council for its ideas on tackling the decline. The county council wholly endorsed the promotion of an urban renewal scheme in Rathkeale.
The enactment of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990, to prevent property being or becoming derelict and which would then detract from the amenity, character or appearance of areas has proved difficult for Limerick County Council to implement. In the case of Rathkeale's main street, buildings continue to become neglected and unsightly. Urban improvement measures, whether promoted by the county council, initiated by the community organisations or provided by private enterprise, have taken place during recent years which have improved the physical appearance of the town. Such improvements are overshadowed by the number of derelict properties which, until removed, will make it impossible to achieve the objective of improving the physical environment of the town, to attract people to live in it and sustain new enterprise.
Experience of other designated areas underlines the interest of many people, especially young people, in buying town houses or apartments in urban areas bringing life back into such centres. Elderly people also prefer to live in towns given the proximity to services. The activity which would be generated by an urban renewal scheme would halt the worsening process of decay and dereliction. It would change the face of the town. The result of such development would be to improve the amenities for the existing population and attract significant numbers of young people to live in the town.
The enterprise committee recognises the strong focus of the urban renewal scheme on residential development, relying on measures to conserve and use existing infrastructure. Rathkeale needs social and economic rejuvenation. Tax designation would encourage people to move back to the town and re-establish and revitalise the community. A successful town is associated with a growing population. Many people are ready and willing to make the necessary investments if tax designation is granted. Many locals have invested money elsewhere in recent years. The risk in investing in property elsewhere is significantly lower and the likelihood of appreciation in the value of properties is higher in other towns.
The designation of the main street, and in particular residential allowances, would bring new life to the town. Derelict and dilapidated buildings would be replaced by new and refurbished residential buildings with an increased population. Such enhancement would contribute to growth in economic and tourist activity and, importantly, to the atmosphere and confidence in the town. It would change the perception of people living there.
The survey indicated that there were 56 derelict, dilapidated, unoccupied or disused houses on the main street, that is, over 39 per cent of the total. Only 27 houses are residential. Residential and business accounts for 13 houses and business alone only 16. Twenty of the houses have one occupant, 22 have two, and three have two or more occupants. Occupants of 38 of the 42 residences consisted of people living alone, or two people living together, who were more than 50 years old.
We want to bring down the barriers to development. Fifty six properties on Main Street are derelict, dilapidated or misused. Property values in the town are plummeting and there is genuine economic decline. In the last 20 years 64 businesses have disappeared from the Main Street and have not been replaced. There is a decreasing population and increasing unemployment. We must break the vicious circle of decline. I ask the Minister for Education to convey to the Minister for the Environment the urgency in designating this area for urban renewal.
