John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to regenerate the central areas of cities and towns and to accelerate the development of key urban centres such as Cork and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13454/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In support of balanced regional development, a key aim the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP) is to enhance the growth capacity of the nine Gateway cities and towns designated under the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), and to strengthen their role as drivers of the development of their wider regions.

A Gateway Innovation Fund (GIF) is being established under the NDP to help fund targeted strategic investments that can trigger the accelerated development of the Gateways and their wider regions.

The Fund will operate initially on a pilot basis over the three-year period (2008-2010) with €100m of Exchequer funding being made available per annum for qualifying proposals. Lead local authorities, on behalf of each of the Gateways, will be expected to bid on a competitive and "added-value" basis for central funding for projects that stimulate Gateway development, with a significant element of co-funding to be provided locally.

This dedicated funding will facilitate, encourage and accelerate Gateway development, and will be a powerful instrument in rewarding innovation and cooperation at local level from all the stakeholders in each Gateway, including local authorities, State agencies and the private sector.

Following on the success of previous urban renewal programmes, the NDP also provides for a new, targeted urban regeneration programme with a particular focus on the NSS Gateways and Hubs. Some €170m in funding will be provided in support of local authorities engaged in significant upgrading and renewal of the public realm. Priority will be accorded to projects encompassing and demonstrating good urban design, innovation, appropriate scale and cost effectiveness.

The possibility of tax incentivisation in support of particular urban renewal objectives remains under consideration.