Extend living city initiative to Drogheda
Deputy Imelda Munster sought extension of the living city initiative to Drogheda. The Taoiseach said the scheme is kept under review, noted problems with past tax relief zones, and said the council should prepare a case for extending it.
The extension of the living city initiative is part of the programme for Government and I ask the Taoiseach to extend the initiative to Drogheda. Drogheda is the largest town in the country and has the population of a city without any of the perks. It has, like other large towns across the State, been neglected by successive Governments for decades, and many of the buildings that would benefit from inclusion in the living city initiative are in dire need of refurbishment and regeneration. The extension of the initiative would be of very little cost to the Government so I ask the Taoiseach to consider extending it to Drogheda.
Comment on this
Drogheda is a big town and is growing in size and population. The living city initiative is continually reviewed. We have tried different things in the past 30 or 40 years and have offered various incentives to different locations. There was tax relief, which entailed lines being drawn on different streets. That created its own problems as smart accountants were able to get around the legislation and build developments that were never thought of, while areas outside the delineations suffered. Many premises which are derelict and in need of repair are left that way by owners expecting a payday when the economic situation improves.
That question also needs to be looked at. In the first instance, the local authority should prepare a programme justifying why the living city initiative should be extended to Drogheda. It should also point out the initiatives it is taking to improve the lot, perspective and definition in the aforementioned town. There should also be discussions with those who own derelict buildings. The council have a responsibility in that regard and it is not good enough that such buildings in town centres are left for 20 years to rot, fall down and be a disgraceful aspect when they could be put to far better use.
