Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 843: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a plan for the rejuvenation of Kilcock will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22790/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 844: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the intended use of the old library site, Kilcock, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22791/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 845: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it is expected that the urban renewal scheme planned for Kilcock, County Kildare, will be activated, with particular reference to the need to implement an upgrading of roads, footpaths and streetscape, the elimination of derelict buildings and the general enhancement of the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22792/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 843 to 845, inclusive, together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 249 of 28 April 2005. The position is unchanged.

Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities have a range of powers to deal with derelict sites within their functional areas. It is also open to Kildare County Council to seek to have Kilcock prescribed as an urban area within the meaning of the 1990 Act, for the purpose of applying a derelict site levy to relevant properties.

The disposal of local authority property is primarily a matter for the authority concerned. I have no information concerning the future use of the library site to which the Deputy refers.

A total on ten sites in Kilcock were designated for the purpose of the town renewal scheme, which was introduced in 2000 with the aim of revitalising the built fabric of smaller towns throughout the country. Under this scheme, which expires on 31 July 2006, tax incentives are available in respect of residential and commercial development within these designated areas.