Living City Initiative

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 February 2013

Thursday, 28 February 2013

Questions (52)

Seán Crowe

Question:

52. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the lobbies or approaches by individuals or bodies, including other Departments, that were made to him in advance of the Finance Bill 2013 being drafted in relation to the Living City initiative; the status of the EU state aid review of the potential scheme now it has been written into legislation; the other cities he has identified for this scheme following on from the pilot scheme; and if he will outline the number of Georgian houses in Limerick and Waterford versus Dublin or other counties. [10575/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

In advance of the publication of Finance Bill 2013, approaches were received from the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the newly combined Limerick local authorities. EU State Aid approval can not be sought for this initiative until the Finance Bill 2013 is actually enacted. Other cities which might be included if the pilot scheme were to be extended, as well as the number of Georgian houses in each city, will become clearer following the ex ante cost benefit analysis. I can advise the Deputy that there are approximately 600 Georgian houses in Limerick city centre.