Vol. 442 No. 3
12 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the static and declining commercial life in Boyle, County Roscommon, if he will consider the designation of at least an area within the urban area of the town of Boyle for urban renewal status as a special appropriate measure to stimulate commercial growth and employment in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A new urban renewal scheme will come into operation on 1 August 1994. As announced in this year's budget, in addition to cities and towns included already, the new scheme will be extended to include the towns of Ballinasloe, Dungarvan, Enniscorthy, Killarney, Mallow, Monaghan, Mullingar, Navan, Nenagh, Newbridge, Roscommon and Wicklow.
In addition, as indicated in the Government's statement of 27 April on west of Ireland matters, I intend to introduce on a pilot basis an urban renewal incentive scheme in a small number of secondary towns in the west. I will be considering the detailed implementation aspects over the coming weeks.
I sincerely hope the Minister of State will include Boyle in the pilot scheme because during the period 1986-91 its urban area lost 9 per cent of the population while the urban and rural areas combined lost 9.7 per cent. Fifty-seven per cent of males and 62 per cent of females in the 18 to 25 age group left the area during that five year period.
Questions, please.
Does the Minister of State agree that an outstanding case can be made in favour of doing something for this area to stimulate economic growth to stop this pernicious decline?
I thank the Deputy for making a strong case on behalf of Boyle. I am sure a similar case will be made on behalf of other towns, in the context of a county plan, to have them included in the pilot scheme. I urge the Deputy to ensure that the case he is making is presented through that channel to the Department. Without pre-empting the decisions, the case he is making will be examined favourably.
Will the Minister of State give an assurance that there will be no greenfield sites when new towns are designated in August this year? Does he accept that the purpose of the urban renewal scheme is to revitalise urban areas and that concern has been expressed by traders in some part of the country that they are being forced out of business because greenfield sites have been designated and are being forced to trade in these centres to survive in business?
Although the criteria are not set out in a statute the primary matter to be corrected is urban decay, usually in centres, and the primary purpose is to encourage people to live in these centres. This would exclude the possibility the Deputy mentioned.
As I am sure the Minister of State is aware, when a greenfield site was designated in Portlaoise much concern was expressed in the area. Does the Minister of State intend to discuss the matter with local chambers of commerce before areas are designated as it is important that traders are not antagonised as happened in some regions?
This question relates specifically to Boyle.
While concern was expressed initially about the effects of designation I think the people and traders in Portlaoise will now say that it has been an unqualified success given that the old part of the town has been upgraded. The point the Deputy has made is not, therefore, valid. There was consultation with the local authority. Anybody who has an interest in this matter, including traders, landowners and members of the public, is entitled to make a submission which will be considered before a decision is made.
