Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I never asked whether the Minister supported the applications that had been made. I am talking about a shift in emphasis. We recently received a very good report on the level of deprivation in south and west Tipperary in comparison with that in the north east inner city of Dublin that had been prepared by Lisa English from JOBS FOR TIPP. While the matter does not specifically come within the Minister's remit, it has been argued that there is an option under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to create redevelopment areas to help to develop housing in and attract small-scale job creation projects to towns such as Tipperary. The Act introduced strategic development zones, SDZs, that have been implemented very successfully in places such as Adamstown, Clonburris, Cherrywood and the docklands in Dublin. There is nothing in the Act that prevents SDZs from being established to tackle deprivation in Tipperary town. We could link it with Carrick-on-Suir, if necessary, but Tipperary town needs help. A total of 5,000 people came out onto the streets three weeks ago on a Saturday for a "Jobs for Tipp" march. It is intended to hold another march later in November because of the inaction of the county council and the Government. Will the Minister work with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government in looking at establishing a SDZ in Tipperary town and Carrick-on-Suir to tackle deprivation? Will the Minister work with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Minister of State, Deputy English, in setting up a task force, in co-operation with Tipperary County Council, to develop a regeneration plan for south and west Tipperary, including Tipperary town?

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