Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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62. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will address the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Living City Initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18733/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Living City Initiative, which was announced in Finance Act 2013, has been extended to now include the cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway and Kilkenny as well the original target cities of Limerick and Waterford. The inclusion of these four cities within the Initiative followed the results of a thorough independent ex ante cost benefit analysis.

This Initiative is targeting particular areas of these six cities which are most in need of regeneration. The designated areas have been chosen following consultations with the relevant local authorities, other Government agencies and an independent adviser.

The Department will closely monitor the progress of the Initiative in the six cities, and will keep the suggestion of extending the relief further under review.

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