The City Living scheme which gives substantial government tax breaks to restore derelict buildings will be extended to Drogheda by June.
The inclusion of the town was announced in the recent Budget to widespread acclaim but no firm date had been given.
The June starting date for Drogheda was revealed by the Fine Gael leader and new Minister for Finance Simon Harris this week so property owners can start preparing applications.
The Living City Initiative is a popular scheme that aims to breathe new life into the centre of urban areas and has been a big success story in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.
The scheme, which provides targeted tax incentives to encourage investment and bring vacant or underused buildings back into use, has been extended until 2030.
It will also now include properties built before 1975 and support the conversion of “over-the-shop” premises for residential use, helping to revitalise older urban areas.
Welcoming the news the Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly said:
“Tackling dereliction and breathing new life into our cities and towns is a vital approach in terms of us unlocking homes and increasing housing supply.
“I therefore want to strongly welcome this announcement by the Tánaiste, which will benefit our communities in both Drogheda and Dundalk.
“I will keep residents and business owners fully up to date with progress in rolling out this scheme in our county, which I believe will make a hugely positive difference to people’s lives.”
Deputy Nash said: “Years of campaigning by Cllr. Pio Smith and I and community-based advocacy has finally come to fruition in the recent Budget as the government, at last, listened to my repeated calls and annual attempts to amend successive Finance Bills to have Drogheda and Dundalk added to the Living Cities Initiative.
Deputy Nash concluded: “With this new tool in our armoury, I look forward to real impact on the ground in Drogheda and Dundalk, breathing new life into our two largest towns.”
