Tánaiste confirms Dundalk and Drogheda to be included in Living Cities Initiative

Dundalk and Drogheda are set to be included in the living cities initiative, Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed.

The living city initiative is a tax incentive that encourages people to live in historic inner-city areas. 

It is already in place is Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. 

The Tánaiste confirmed that there will be five regions added to the initiative alongside Dundalk and Drogheda, Letterkenny, Sligo and Athlone have also been included. 

Mr Harris said the initiative will bring much needed Government support to Dundalk and Drogheda to tackle vacancy and dereliction. 

He said the government hopes to open applications by "June at the latest". 

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Labour TD for Louth, Ged Nash said he intends to "hold the Tánaiste to his promise" that the initiative will be "making a difference on the streets of Drogheda and Dundalk, by the middle of next year."

Deputy Nash said there can be "no excuses" for the government in implementing the scheme and praised Louth County Council for "quickly and proactively" doing their part to tackle areas of dereliction in both towns. 

Simon Harris said draft maps from local authorities should be returned by the end of January, however, Deputy Nash said Louth County Council have "already provided it to the Department of Finance."

Finally, Mr Nash said he looks forward to the initiative "breathing new life into our two largest towns."