When I reported progress on the Bill last night, I was speaking about the guidelines set down by the Minister of State, Deputy Molloy, on 24 November 1997. I particularly welcome the change of focus and direction in urban renewal policy. The Minister is now talking about a scheme which will feature a more focused approach targeting the remaining areas of need. It is important to emphasise areas of need in urban renewal policy.
The Minister also said the Government and the national anti-poverty strategy require that future policy on urban renewal must take full account of the social needs of and the effects on areas targeted for regeneration. Architecture, design and conservation opportunities under the scheme must also yield optimum results. It is important that local authorities have been given a role and responsibility for leading the preparation of these plans. Although there has been much criticism of local authorities, they are best suited to bring forward these plans. Some local authorities have submitted a number of applications and have not prioritised them. They did what local authorities did in the past with applications for the national lottery grants. In fairness Galway County Council, which sent in an application, focused on an area plan for Tuam which I, as a Deputy who has represented the town for the past 23 years, welcome. Tuam needs this type of incentive. The Government, through the Minister, set out criteria which will assist local authorities in the selection and prioritisation of the areas for integrated area plans.
I am a little concerned about the guidelines which refer to a population of 6,000. The guidelines make the point that few towns with a population of fewer than 6,000 have received designation up to now. It looks as if it will be difficult for towns with populations of fewer than 6,000 to be included in the present scheme. It is, however, more important that the scheme reflects an urban renewal application which could be achieved without the figure of 6,000 being applied to a town. The Minister said the panel's recommendation was that the guideline of 6,000 should remain unchanged on the basis that it is only a guideline. It would be unfair if a town was excluded from the scheme because the figure of 6,000 had not been met. The population of Tuam in 1991 was 5,540 and it increased to 5,627 in 1996. What is most important about Tuam and many other towns is the hinterland which is served by the town. The population of the rural hinterland around Tuam amounts to 27,000. These factors should be taken into consideration when talking about the guideline of 6,000 people.
The designation of sites and areas for tax incentives has been an important measure in the redevelopment and renewal of many towns and cities. In the case of Tuam, the integrated area plan for Galway County Council was carried out by Brady, Shipman and Martin Planning Consultants. The object of the plan was to provide a planned integrated and focused approach to urban renewal. When this is implemented, the IAP will aid the physical, economic, social and environmental regeneration of a declining urban area.
Tuam was selected because of the high levels of unemployment and social deprivation in the town and the surrounding rural area. The town has significant areas of physical dereliction and investment has been hampered by poor image. Ironically, the service functions of the town are threatened by its proximity to Galway city. Tuam also has the potential to attract investment through its good location, educated workforce, historical heritage and modern infrastructure.
The main objective of the plan is to ensure Tuam is upgraded and improved. With the integrated area plan and the sub-area designation, a context will be provided in which huge development may take place exploiting the infrastructure, workforce and character of Tuam. I pay tribute to Galway County Council, Tuam Town Commissioners, the business community and voluntary organisations in the town which were so enthusiastic about putting forward the case for the town. Tuam is a market town and has retained important educational and ecclesiastical functions. Its industrial base has had a varied history with a number of traditional industries closing which has caused an increase in local unemployment levels. The town, which is 21 miles from Galway, has become a commuting centre but has retained its own distinctive identity. The setbacks suffered by Tuam in recent years include the closure of the Irish Sugar Company and cutbacks in the railway service.
Galway city has benefited from urban renewal schemes in the past and from the development of the economy. Urban renewal has been successful also in towns such as Ballinasloe and Loughrea. However, Tuam has not benefited to the same extent. The type of plan before us is one which should be of great benefit to Tuam. Various Ministers for the Environment allocated funding to Tuam for a waste water treatment plant where we have recently commissioned a £25 million water supply system. There are excellent link roads around Tuam which is situated on the N17 — the principal north-south route in the west — now famous in song and story. This infrastructure with the town's historical heritage provides a basis for the further expansion of the tourism and service industries. There are other plans and policies associated with the town, including the western regional authority plan 1996-2000, the Ireland-west regional tourism plan, the Western Health Board proposals 1998, the Galway rural development company — the ADM and Leader II programme, the tidy towns plan 1995, the urban and village renewal scheme 1994 and the Western Development Commission. This type of investment is important in addition to the proposal with the Department of the Environment and Local Government.
Education, training, employment and economic development are features of most of the plans with the Department. This is true also in the case of Tuam. I wish to mention in particular the proposal that a portion of the town be used for local community functions and operate in tandem with the commercial venture.
The Bons Secours hospital in Tuam has spent a substantial amount on refurbishment of existing facilities. However, there is a need for further refurbishment and an expansion of services. It is encouraging to note that the hospital is included in the development plan for urban renewal. Galway County Council is operating a refurbishment scheme in Gilmartin Road, Tuam, and an estate management course will be carried out in conjunction with it. Tuam has many archaeological remnants from its historic past. An objective of the plan is to exploit its rich heritage.
The Minister referred to consultations regarding the urban renewal scheme. Some Deputies were critical that local authorities did not engage in sufficient consultation. Public meetings were held in Galway on this issue. The principal partners in the development of the town were residents, business people and landowners, Galway County Council, Tuam Town Commissioners, the rural development company and the education and training providers. Arising from the public meeting held in Tuam on 5 February 1998 there was great interest and enthusiasm in the scheme. It was clear from that meeting that there should be more employment opportunities in the town. Another issue raised was that Tuam could benefit from a new hotel to serve both the town and the leisure industry. One hotel is not adequate to cater for the people of Tuam and the tourism industry, which has great potential. I hope, following a second planning application from a business group, permission will be granted for a second hotel in or near the town. Certainly Tuam town could benefit from a rail link with the city of Galway. I am a member of the western county rail committee which has as its secretary, Fr. Michéal MacGreil, from Westport, one of the pioneers as regards the railways. Five counties from Connacht have representatives on that committee. I hope the committee's efforts will be successful in getting a rail link with Galway city and the whole western region from Claremorris right down to Tuam and Limerick.
The plan emphasises that provision should be made for mobility of the disabled and parents of young children. The plan emphasises also that the town should exploit and capitalise on its history. At present there is a festival in Tuam commemorating Rory O'Connor, the last High King. As part of that festival there is a major emphasis on the town's history.
The use of the town hall has been highlighted in the plan. Certainly the town hall needs refurbishment. I hope a portion of the hall can be used as a community facility.
The Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral, who has been speaking about the history of Tuam and is involved in the festival, has mentioned the necessity of developing St. Mary's Cathedral as a gateway to Tuam and highlighting the town's image and heritage. This is one area that should be emphasised.
I welcome the fact that we are discussing this Bill. I am pleased the scheme will commence on 1 August 1998. I hope the areas I mentioned as regards archaeology and conservation and the provision of car-parking facilities will be supported. The vision for Tuam is the most important part of the application by Galway County Council — a vision to develop the town as a self-sufficient urban centre that serves its huge hinterland. I hope the town of Tuam, through maximising its rich historic base, will become a prestigious inland tourist destination.