Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023
205. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been any progression on a strategic development zone in County Clare to attract industry, investment and employment opportunities. [9257/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Chief Executive of Clare County Council and the President of the University of Limerick wrote to my Department on 24 of January 2022 seeking designation of lands as the South Clare / University of Limerick Economic Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). My department subsequently met with representatives from the University of Limerick and Clare County Council to discuss the proposal.
The designation of a SDZ in accordance with the provisions of Section 166 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, requires a Government decision and Government, in making such a decision, must be satisfied that the development is of economic or social importance to the State.
The strategic importance of the University of Limerick as a key driver of innovation, economic development and the knowledge-based economy in the Mid-West is reflected in both the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region.
I acknowledge the significant work undertaken to date in advancing the proposal for the South Clare / University of Limerick Economic SDZ detailed in the submission received by my Department in January 2022. Notwithstanding this however, it is not considered at this stage that the proposals have been developed sufficiently to warrant a request to Government to designate the site as an SDZ.
My Department has advised the local authority that further information is required to demonstrate that the proposed SDZ would be of economic or social importance to the State, to address the proposal within the context of the broader Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan and to address matters relating to infrastructure delivery and other critical factors for the successful delivery of any future SDZ.
