Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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33. To ask the Minister for Finance the progress of the living city initiative; the response of the EU regarding the application under state aid rules; if there are figures on the number of properties and locations which have benefitted from the scheme; if there are plans to increase the areas eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37052/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Officials from my Department have held preliminary discussions with the relevant local authorities to identify the areas of the six cities, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford, which might fall within the scope of the scheme. Each of the local authorities have submitted proposals on the areas which they believe should be included. 

My officials have also been in contact with the EU Commission on the application for State Aid approval for the Initiative and this process is expected to be concluded shortly.

I will not be announcing the areas to be designated until this approval has been received and the initiative is to be commenced. 

I would expect that I will be in a position to make an announcement in the near future.

It is important to note that I do not see this as a wide-spread Initiative, as it is targeted at those areas which are most in need of attention.