Mary Coughlan
Ceist:156 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding urban renewal status for Ballyshannon and Ballybofey-Stranolar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19737/98]
Written Answers. - Urban Renewal Schemes.
The new urban renewal scheme cannot be commenced until its terms, in so far as they relate to tax incentives for commercial and industrial development, have been approved by the European Commission.
Negotiations with the Commission are continuing with a view to resolving issues which have been raised by them with regard to the future availability of certain urban renewal reliefs relating to business. In the meantime the Expert Advisory Panel has been examining the 78 Integrated Area Plans submitted by local authorities so that decisions on designation of areas and the tax incentives to apply can be announced and the new scheme commenced as soon as possible after the completion of the current negotiations with the EU.
Pending the making and announcing of these decisions I cannot state which, if any, areas of Ballyshannon and Ballybofey-Stranorlar might be included in the new scheme.