Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:111 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the basis on which towns were selected for inclusion in the recent urban renewal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9451/99]
Written Answers. - Urban Renewal Schemes.
Designations under the new urban renewal scheme were based on integrated area plans, IAPs, submitted by local authorities and were in line with recommendations made by an expert advisory panel which I established to assess all of the plans submitted.
The IAPs were drawn up on the basis of detailed guidelines prepared by the expert panel and issued to local authorities. These guidelines made it clear that, in selecting areas for the preparation of IAPs, local authorities were expected to give priority to areas in cities and towns with strong urban characteristics and the highest con centrations of physical decay and socio-economic disadvantage.
The expert panel exercised an independent role in assessing the plans submitted. The recommendations made by the panel were accepted in full and that is the basis on which designation is now being implemented.
There is no proposal to designate further areas under the urban renewal scheme which runs until 28 February 2002. Only areas recommended by the expert panel have been designated.
The expert panel found also that many of the smaller towns which had not been recommended for designation, contained a significant amount of urban townscape which had deteriorated badly. The proposed townscape restoration scheme is aimed at the restoration and conservation of townscapes in smaller towns. Local authorities will be asked to submit urban townscape plans by 1 August next. Guidelines are being prepared for issue to local authorities to assist them in preparing plans for this new scheme which is to be introduced in the autumn.