Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 1370: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the National Spatial Strategy with a view to giving hub status to Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2001/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The 20-year National Spatial Strategy (NSS) which was published in November 2002 aims to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development across Ireland, supported by more effective planning, and has designated nine gateways and nine hubs which have the capacity to grow sustainably and to act as drivers of growth for their hinterlands and wider regions.

Among the principal objectives of the Strategy are to build up the strengths of all areas in order to achieve more balanced regional development through a better spread of economic activity, employment and population growth; to energise the potential of all urban and rural areas with the support of a stronger urban structure, including the gateways, hubs and other towns; and to set a national context for regional and local planning strategies.

I have no plans to review the designations of gateways and hubs identified in the Strategy.