Mr. Derek Moran:

I share the pain of this journey of getting an initiative up and running. The scheme started off as a pilot project for Georgian buildings in Limerick and Waterford and it has taken a very long time to get through the state aid process to here. Along the way the criteria were widened to take in all buildings pre-1915 which has made it a more effective instrument to redevelop city centres.

The limit is 210 sq. m which is significantly greater than the maximum of 125 sq. m that was approved for previous regeneration schemes. I am not clear in my mind whether the restriction was, ultimately, part of state aid approval. In Georgian buildings one can redevelop floors and break up the project to avail of the initiative. However, I take the point made by the Deputy.