HC Deb 11 November 1991 vol 198 cc385-6W
Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the criteria for benefiting under CRISP—the community regeneration initiative special project—programme and urban development grant, indicating any change in those criteria in the last year, and list the persons and bodies which administer the same.

Mr. Hanley

The CRISP initiative is targeted on towns and villages with populations below approximately 10,000 in areas of particular disadvantage and is available to community groups and district councils.

Urban development grants are available for developments in specified areas of Belfast and Londonderry where the intention is to let or sell the completed projects and for refurbishments or new buildings within these areas aimed at achieving physical and economic regeneration.

There has been no change to the criteria for the UDG scheme or CRISP in the last year.

These programmes are administered by the Department of the Environment.

Grant outside Belfast and Londonderry is provided under the urban development programme which is funded by the International Fund for Ireland and I have asked the chairman of the fund to write to the hon. Gentleman. I will place a copy of his letter in the Library.

Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the towns and villages that have benefited and will benefit from the CRISP—community regeneration initiative special project—programme and urban development grant, giving the total amount and population in each case.

Mr. Hanley

The moneys committed under the CRISP programme which is funded by the International Fund for Ireland and the Department of Environment, are shown in the table:

Town Amount Approved Population (Approximately)
£ million
1. Coalisland 2.700 3,800
2. Castlederg 1.570 2,900
3. Carrickmore 1.880 1,000
4. Keady 1.500 3,200
5. Belleek 1.890 1,000
6. Dromore (Co. Tyrone) 0.670 1,000
7. Belcoo 0.314 1,100
8. Newtownhamilton 0.600 1,200

It is not possible to say which applications will receive approval in the future.

The urban development grant scheme applies only to Belfast—population 280,972—and Londonderry—population 94,721. At 31 October 1991, £68 million had been committed or expended on approved projects in the two cities.

Grants outside Belfast and Londonderry are provided under the urban development programme which is funded by the International Fund for Ireland. I have asked the chairman of the fund to write to the hon. Gentleman and I will place a copy of his letter in the Library.