John Ellis
Ceist:106 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce a special tax incentive for the six Border counties in view of the preferential tax incentives available in Northern Ireland. [19212/95]
Written Answers. - Tax Incentives.
Designation of towns and areas normally come under the Urban Renewal Scheme. The present Urban Renewal Scheme was introduced on 1 August 1994 and will operate for a three year period. The scheme applies to 35 cities and towns throughout the country including the towns of Letterkenny, Sligo, Monaghan and Dundalk.
Late last year, my colleague, Ms Liz McManus TD, Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal announced a comprehensive review of the entire urban renewal scheme to assess the experience gained over the last ten years. At that time, she said that until the outcome of this review was assessed no new areas or towns would be designated.
In last year's budget I announced a new scheme of relief for Traditional Seaside Resorts. This pilot scheme came into effect last July for a three year period. The scheme is in operation in 15 seaside towns around the country, including the seaside resorts of Bundoran, Enniscrone and Clogherhead. As I have said in the past, until this pilot scheme is firmly established it would seem inappropriate to consider the extension of this scheme to any further towns either in the Border regions or elsewhere in the country.
There are over 50 areas in cities, towns and seaside resorts already designated either under the Urban Renewal Scheme or the pilot scheme for Traditional Seaside Resorts. To introduce additional designated areas under either of these two schemes or to introduce a completely new scheme could, in my view greatly dilute the benefits of the existing schemes. Consequently, there are no plans to extend designated status to any additional areas.