Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:183 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the rural renewal scheme to north County Sligo; and the reason north County Sligo was not included in the scheme in the first instance. [5454/02]
Vol. 548 No. 5
183 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the rural renewal scheme to north County Sligo; and the reason north County Sligo was not included in the scheme in the first instance. [5454/02]
There are no proposals, at present, to designate additional areas under the rural renewal scheme. The rural renewal scheme is a pilot scheme and is focused on a limited and specifically defined part of the State and aimed at the upper Shannon region. It would not be appropriate to consider the designation of other areas until the effectiveness of the scheme in promoting additional economic growth and reversing population decline in the designated area is evident. In addition, an extension to the areas currently designated under the scheme or changes to the business tax reliefs would be subject to European Commission approval under State aid rules.