Vol. 536 No. 2
324 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the extent of the dereliction on the first, second, third and fourth floors of retail business in towns such as Ennis; and if he will include them in the current tax scheme. [13563/01]
I recently introduced a living-over-the-shop scheme which provides an integrated package of tax incentives aimed at tackling the problem of vacant upper storey space above retail premises in designated streets in the five-county-borough areas. The scheme commenced on 6 April last and the overriding priority now is to ensure its effective implementation. I do not propose to extend the scheme to other towns, though this matter can be looked at again when my Department has had an opportunity to review progress under the new scheme. With regard to the current urban renewal scheme, it was a matter for each local authority to identify areas of urban decay, or obsolescence, and to prepare integrated area plans. Ennis was not selected by Clare County Council for inclusion under that scheme.
Question No. 325 answered with Question No. 322.
