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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 3

Written Answers. - Urban Renewal Schemes.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

275 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that the commercial and industrial incentives announced by him commencing 6 April 2001 under the town renewal scheme have advanced satisfactorily; his views on the fact that the scheme needs to be amended to encourage participation which will contribute to the regeneration of the towns designated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31768/01]

Designations under the town renewal scheme were announced in July 2000; while residential incentives were commenced immediately, the requirement to obtain EU Commission approval to the commercial incentives meant that these did not commence until 6 April 2001. Uncertainty arising from the delay in obtaining approval to these incentives may have contributed to slow take up of the scheme in some towns.

The Government has announced a new initiative aimed at boosting the supply of rental residential accommodation in areas already designated under the town renewal and urban renewal schemes. The initiative involves the extension of section 23 type incentives with effect from 5 December 2001 to sites and sub-areas already designated for owner-occupier reliefs under these schemes. This initiative complements other measures aimed at boosting housing supply which were contained in budget 2002.

These amendments represent a considerable enhancement of both schemes and will also complement local authority efforts in attracting investment for sites designated as commercial and industrial under these schemes.

I am confident that, with pro-active promotion of the schemes by the relevant local authorities involved, activation of the section 23 initiative announced recently, and, in the case of the town renewal scheme, the removal of uncertainty in relation to the operation of the commercial and industrial incentives, significant progress will be achieved in the towns designated under both schemes. The schemes are being monitored on an ongoing basis.

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