Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I previously welcomed the extension of the Living City initiative to Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and Dublin and the broadening of the eligibility criteria to include all buildings constructed prior to 1915. This is an important initiative which is relevant to a subject we have discussed on numerous occasions in this House, namely, the decline of town and city centres throughout the country. It will assist in the regeneration of commercial districts and encourage families back to living in the centres of towns and cities.

In that context, I very much welcome the clarification last night by the Tánaiste that the scheme is to be extended to Dún Laoghaire. That town, despite its beautiful heartland of Georgian buildings, has suffered greatly in recent years through the loss of businesses to the peripheral shopping centres. I support calls by colleagues that other towns, including Drogheda and Dundalk, be considered for inclusion in the initiative. There are many beautiful buildings in towns throughout Ireland, but many of those towns are dying on their feet. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this and other initiatives relating to the construction sector that were announced in Tuesday's budget? It would be very helpful to have the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, in the House for that discussion.