- Property owners in Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo can now apply for tax relief to refurbish homes and rental properties or to convert buildings into homes or businesses
- Initiative designed to support regeneration and breathe new life into urban centres
- Tax relief to support the conversion of commercial premises into residential homes commonly known as ‘Over the Shop Living’.
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris, has signed orders to formally designate five additional towns under the Living City Initiative.
Property owners in parts of Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo are now eligible for tax relief to refurbish or convert buildings for residential or commercial use.
The Living City Initiative is already in place in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.
By incentivising the regeneration of residential and commercial properties, the scheme aims to support the development of underutilised spaces into homes and businesses, while helping to breathe new life into urban centres.
The local authorities with responsibility for the new towns being brought under the Living City Initiative have each submitted proposals for Special Regeneration Area (SRA) maps, which were independently assessed.
The maps of the five new SRAs are also being published today.
SRAs are central urban areas characterised by the need for regeneration, with high levels of vacancy, dereliction and under-use, with a strong stock of older buildings that can be brought back into productive use.
Property owners within these SRAs will be eligible to apply for tax relief subject to meeting the relevant criteria.
Speaking today, the Tánaiste said:
“I am pleased to designate the Living City Initiative Special Regeneration Areas in Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo.
“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 – this initiative is a practical step towards making that happen.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said:
“Important move today with the Living City Initiative being extended to five additional towns. This scheme is already driving rejuvenation in our main cities and I am working closely with the Tánaiste to ensure it is accessible to as many applicants as possible.
“Addressing dereliction and vacancy in our cities and towns is a key pillar in our housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 because it is a scourge on our inner city and town communities and we are determined to tackle it. This extension is further action to address dereliction & vacancy and at the same time increase housing supply in these towns.”
As part of enhancements introduced in Budget 2026, the Living City Initiative has been extended to the end of 2030.
Eligibility has also been broadened to include residential properties built before 1975 (previously 1915), significantly increasing the number of buildings that can be brought back into use.
Importantly, a new category of relief has been introduced to support the conversion of commercial premises into residential homes, commonly known as “Living Over the Shop.” This measure is designed to encourage the reuse of vacant space above retail units, creating new homes in the heart of communities and supporting more vibrant, lived-in town centres.
