Boost for jobs from city buildings scheme

A 100% tax refund scheme which aims to rejuvenate city centres by refurbishing thousands of historical buildings is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and boost tourism numbers when it is implemented over the coming months.

The ‘Living City Initiative’, which was initially piloted in Limerick and Waterford, was extended to include Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, and Dublin by Finance Minister Michael Noonan in Budget 2014.

It is expected to provide a multimillion euro boost to inner cities by encouraging families to move back into city centres and increase commercial footfall by regenerating the retail heartland of central business districts.