Dan Neville
Ceist:247 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if it will be acceptable to designate towns outside of Status 1 regions under the designated urban renewal scheme. [25460/98]
Written Answers - Urban Renewal Schemes.
Under the new urban renewal scheme, 78 integrated area plans have been submitted for areas in cities and towns throughout the country. Guidelines for the scheme made it clear that in selecting areas for the preparation of integrated area plans local authorities were expected to give priority to areas in cities and towns with strong urban characteristics and the highest concentrations of physical decay and socio-economic disadvantage.
Implementation of the new urban renewal scheme, which was formally notified to the Commission on the basis of its uniform application throughout the country, 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.