'It makes no sense one of Dundalk's oldest estates is excluded' from 'Living Cities' tax incentives

Parnell Park, one of Dundalk’s oldest neighbourhoods, is not included in the government’s Living Cities initiative. The scheme provides tax incentives to encourage people to live in historic urban areas. Parnell Park is about 800 metres from the town centre and has pay parking, yet it falls outside the map. The estate was built in 1913 and would be expected to qualify. Other Dundalk areas farther from the town centre are included, which is viewed as inconsistent. The council submitted draft maps, but final maps were determined by the Department of Finance using socio-economic measures such as deprivation and unemployment. The council can continue to liaise and make a case for inclusion, but Parnell Park is not included in the current phase.

"Cllr. Robert Nash told the local authority's May meeting that it appeared Parnell Park has been left out of the scheme, which covers large parts of Dundalk. He said that as the scheme brings tax incentives to encourage people to live in historic urban areas. "Parnell Park is only 800 metres away from the town centre, there is pay parking in it, and yet it is deemed to be outside the 'Living Cities' map.""

"He told councillors that the estate was built in 1913, and would therefore fall under the remit of the Living Cities initiative. The meeting heard that other areas of Dundalk, which are further away from the town centre, are included in the initiative., which he said "makes no sense." "Is there anything we can do to get Parnell Park included in these maps?" he asked, saying that people living in the area wouldn't be able to avail of the tax incentives to add extensions to their homes."

"Director of Service, Thomas McEvoy told the meeting that the Living Cities maps, for special regeneration areas are "ultimately decided by the Department of Finance." He said the council did submit drafts which would have included the entire area of Dundalk and Drogheda, but a number of revised drafts had emerged. "The requirements weren't just the lines and the dates of buildings, but also the deprivation, unemployment etc, as there were several socio-economic measures taken into account.""

"The final maps which were agreed and issued by the department didn't include Parnell Park, he confirmed. Mr. McEvoy said the council could continue to liaise with the department, and make a case as to why this area should be included. "But for the moment, in this phase of the Living Cities initiative it is not included.""

Read at Irish Independent