137. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if any applications have been made to date to the Revenue Commissioners from property owners in Drogheda and Dundalk for access to the living cities initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39890/26]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I am seeking an update on the number of applications or inquiries that have been made with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to the living cities scheme since its expansion to cover Drogheda and Dundalk. I appreciate that it was only a month ago that this happened but this is a critical scheme for the area to address vacancy and dereliction. If the Minister has an update, I would it if he put it on the record of the House.

Sentiment score: -0.07

Vacancy and dereliction is an absolute scourge that is affecting every town, city and village across this country. For many years, I have sought the expansion of the scheme to areas such as Drogheda and Dundalk. Drogheda, especially, as the Minister will understand, is a very ancient area with sensitive architecture. That being said, one of the main aspects of this scheme now is that it applies, at least from the point of view of commercial premises, to properties that were developed before 1975. It previously pertained to buildings built prior to 1915. The change to 1975 should capture quite a significant number of buildings that could be brought back on stream. One thing I propose would be that the Revenue Commissioners proactively market this. If it is the case that in previous iterations of the scheme, the Revenue Commissioners went out and conducted workshops in communities trying to promote the scheme, can they be encouraged to do so?

Sentiment score: 0.13

One important aspect is that this is user-friendly and accessible. The Revenue Commissioners and the Department have taken on board some of the critiques of the scheme over the past few years. Certainly, the enhancement of the scheme will make it more attractive. Clearly, it will become more attractive to enterprises that are engaging in redevelopment given the expansion of the value of the relief from €200,000 to €300,000. In reality, with some of the sensitive and large-scale buildings we are talking about in areas such as Drogheda and Dundalk, it may be only commercial enterprises that will have the deep pockets, ambition and wherewithal to undertake the work that would be needed on architecturally sensitive buildings to put them back into use. I know from the maps - I acknowledge the Minister stated quite correctly that Louth County Council were quick out of the traps in terms of developing the proposed special area of regeneration - that close to 60 buildings in that area are considered to be derelict and this could be a game-changer, if it is taken up. It is important that Revenue promotes it. I myself will contact them and make that case that they may very well need to conduct some workshops with the local authority and local businesses.

Sentiment score: 0.39