Property owners in Athlone can apply for the scheme from today.
A new initiative aiming to support regeneration and breathe new life into urban centres is up and running in a Midlands town.
Property owners in Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo can now apply for tax relief to refurbish homes and rental properties.
The Tanaiste Simon Harris says support is also available to convert buildings into homes or businesses.
The scheme already includes Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Waterford and Limerick.
OPW Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran says:
"“I am very pleased that the Living City Initiative is now up and running in Athlone. This expansion is about supporting regeneration, bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use, increasing the supply of homes, and rebuilding the social and economic fabric of our town centres.
By supporting refurbishment and encouraging living over the shop, we can create more homes in our towns, reduce vacancy, and restore vibrancy to our main streets. I want to see people living again in the hearts of our towns and villages, and this initiative is a practical step towards making that happen.
Addressing dereliction and vacancy in our cities and towns is a key pillar of Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030. Vacancy and dereliction undermine communities, and we are determined to tackle them. This extension of the Living City Initiative is further action to address these challenges while increasing housing supply.”
Minister Moran says it's part of Athlone's mission to achieve city status:
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