Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State knows, I support this initiative. I am frustrated that it is still not up and running two years after its announcement. As I stated on Committee Stage, my city of Cork could benefit significantly from it. Our city has seen its population decline in recent years. We need the scheme up and running.

The scheme is called the "living city initiative". In all cases, the works attracting tax relief should involve the conversion of living quarters. However, that does not appear to be the case. Deputy Pearse Doherty has made a strong case to which we should listen. The essence of the scheme is the conversion of old buildings to make them habitable again and to attract people into our cities' urban areas. It is not just another commercial tax incentive scheme.

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