Michael Creed
Ceist:60 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider an extension of the designated areas scheme to include all UDC and Town Commission areas.
Written Answers. - Urban Renewal Scheme.
Ivan Yates
Ceist:125 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment his views in relation to any further extension of urban renewal projects; if there is any commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, 1993-1997, in this regard; whether provincial towns such as Enniscorthy, Councy Wexford will be considered for inclusion.
Jim Mitchell
Ceist:133 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the designated areas for inner city or suburban development in Dublin, any extension to these designated areas has been granted in the past two years; if so, the areas of these extensions; if applications have been received from the local authority to designate any additional areas; if so, the additional areas that have been requested; whether he will extend designation to new areas; and, if, in particular this extension is being considered for the village of Inchicore, Dublin 8 which has become very derelict, and that section of the North Inner city between Infirmary Road and Temple Street West.
Michael Creed
Ceist:134 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment if he will extend the urban renewal scheme to all urban district councils immediately.
Michael Bell
Ceist:142 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment when he will introduce the proposed new urban renewal scheme; if the designated areas will include industrial development; the changes he intends to introduce to encourage development and employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 125, 133, 134 and 142 together.
With the exception of the Custom House Docks and the Temple Bar Areas in Dublin, the incentives available under the Urban Renewal Scheme will expire on 31 July, 1994. Given this deadline, it would be of no practical benefit to designate any new areas at this stage.
In 1992 an additional 7 acres were designated under the Urban Renewal Act, 1986 in Tallaght and earlier this year an area of similar size, incorporating the Ballymun Town Centre, was designated. Apart from these two areas, no other area was designated in the past two years and no requests for such designation were received from Dublin Corporation for any other area.
While the Programme for a Partnership Government contains no commitment to extend the scheme to any new areas, I am at present reviewing the contribution the scheme has made to urban renewal with a view to developing future policy options. I cannot, however, indicate at this stage of the review what proposals will emerge.