Vol. 495 No. 7
504 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the urban renewal schemes will be approved; and the contact, if any, between his Department and the EU in relation to Ireland's application. [21583/98]
515 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding tax designation for towns like Balbriggan, County Dublin, under the urban renewal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21789/98]
528 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding the presentation by Galway County Council for its request to grant urban renewal status to Tuam, County Galway; the reason for the delay in allowing projects to commence under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21886/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 504, 515 and 528 together.
Implementation of the new urban renewal scheme has been deferred until its terms, in so far as they relate to tax incentives for commercial and industrial development, have been approved by the European Commission.
The negotiations with the Commission are being led by the Department of Finance, with information, assistance and other support provided by the Department of the Environment and Local Government as appropriate. The negotiations are continuing with a view to resolving issues which have been raised by the Commission 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 am not in a position to specify the towns to be included in the new scheme.
