Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:39 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of the results of the living over the shop initiative. [9493/96]
Written Answers. - Living Over the Business Initiative.
I have no direct information on the progress of the living over the business initiative which is monitored by the Department of the Environment. My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment with responsibility for Housing and Urban Renewal, Deputy McManus, replied to a similar question on this issue in the House on 9 May last. From her reply and from my own knowledge of and experience in this area, I am aware that, while there has been some development generated by the initiative, the overall progress on the scheme has been disappointing so far. The Department of the Environment has end 1995 figures reporting that three living over the business projects has been completed and eight were in progress at that stage with a further 21 projects in planning. The estimated value of these projects at that time was about £6 million.
A consultancy study on the impact of the tax based urban renewal scheme which has operated since 1986 is at present being carried out. This study is examining the economic, social and architectural impacts of the scheme. In this context, the Minister of State, Deputy McManus, has specifically asked that the study examine the living over the business initiative. The results of the study will influence future policy in the area of urban renewal including the living over the business scheme.