Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the locations throughout County Kildare that were awarded urban renewal, section 23 or other special designated status during the past ten years; the extent to which all such commitments entered into have been completed and complied with in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16274/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and location of areas here that have benefited from urban renewal or special designation status in the past ten years; the extent to which all commitments entered into have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16275/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.

The Urban Renewal Scheme 1998, the Multi Storey Car Parks Scheme 1997, the Town Renewal Scheme 2000, and the Living over the Shop Scheme 2001 gave designated status to areas and were operational in the period 2000 – 2009. The deadlines for each of these schemes were extended to 31 December 2006 where existing conditions were met and further extended to 31 July 2008 where additional conditions were met. 305 cities, towns, villages and other locations in urban or rural areas were awarded Section 23 status.

24,483 certificates were issued by my Department in respect of these schemes. This figure does not include multi storey car parks for which certificates were not issued. The schemes have now closed and no new designations are being considered.

The locations in County Kildare which had a designated status in the past 10 years are Athy, Castledermot, Kilcock, Kilcullen, Kildare, Maynooth, Monasterevin and Rathangan.

I refer to Appendices 2 and 3 of the Revenue Commissioners' Guide to Section 23 Relief which is available on its website – www.revenue.ie. The number and location of areas in Ireland that have benefited from urban renewal or special designation status in the past 10 years are set out in the Revenue Commissioners' Guide.

In order to apply for section 23 tax relief, an applicant is required to produce a certificate issued by my Department under the relevant scheme to the Revenue Commissioners. The record of section 23 tax relief claimed and granted on foot of the 24,483 certificates issued by my Department is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. The enforcement of any planning permissions granted is a matter for individual Planning Authorities, irrespective of any designated status applicable.