Written answers

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Department of Finance

Living City Initiative

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Finance the basis the SPR's special regeneration areas were chosen for the Living City Initiative; the reason locations (details supplied) were omitted from the Living City Initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24576/15]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Special Regeneration Areas for the Living City Initiative were designated following consultation with the relevant city councils and an independent review by a third party advisor. Specific criteria were set down in respect of the areas which should be included within the remit of the Living City Initiative which were required to be taken into account by the relevant city councils when putting forward the proposed Special Regeneration Areas for each city.

As the Living City Initiative is a very targeted urban regeneration incentive, the criteria to be met for the inclusion of an area in the scheme are more stringent than simply being located in the relevant city and constructed pre 1915. In particular, it was stated that the Special Regeneration Areas should be inner city areas which are largely comprised of dwellings built before 1915, where there is above average unemployment and which demonstrate clear evidence of neglect, dereliction and under-use. It was specified that areas which are generally regarded as affluent, have high occupancy rates and which do not require regeneration should not be included in the Special Regeneration Areas.

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. However, as is the case with all tax reliefs, the scheme will be kept under review.

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