Vol. 543 No. 2
506 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he received a proposal from Castlebar Urban District Council to extend the urban boundary; if he has examined this proposal; the reason for the delay in approving the extension; when he will give approval for the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26301/01]
The first town boundary alteration – Killarney – to be effected by any Minister in recent years was implemented from 1 January this year. Castlebar, Ballina and Westport are the next cases for consideration and are currently being examined by my Department; the relevant applications were received in May 1999, December 1999 and April 2000 respectively.
The examination of these three cases is close to completion taking account of the financial, planning and other considerations both as regards the towns concerned and the cumulative impact of these proposals for the county council. My Department is currently awaiting information from the relevant local authorities. When received, a final decision can be taken on these applications so that any boundary alteration would come into operation from the start of the next financial year, 1 January, 2002.
Question No. 507 answered with Question No. 78.
