Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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117. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of properties either renovated or converted through the living cities initiative by city in tabular form. [30407/20]

Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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118. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to expand the living cities initiative to properties in towns nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30414/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together.

I am advised by Revenue that the available information in respect of the Living City Initiative is the number of claimants (rather than number of properties) and the tax forgone.

This information is published on the Revenue website for all years up to 2018 at link; .

The Living City Initiative is a very specific tax incentive, established in compliance with the Department of Finance’s Tax expenditure Guidelines, with the aim of encouraging businesses and home-owners back to the centre of Irish cities in order to preserve historic buildings in special regeneration areas. I do not believe that it is a suitable vehicle for broader application beyond its original policy goal. A large scale extension of Living City, as proposed, would amount to s. 23 type relief. These types of reliefs were, with good reason, ended a decade ago. In any event, the proposal would have the potential for greatly increased Exchequer costs and would raise state aid concerns. Ireland’s past experience with tax incentives in this sectors strongly suggests the need for a cautionary stance.