Timeline given for Living City tax incentive scheme in Athlone

Westmeath County Council will have until the end of January 2026 to propose Special Regeneration Areas (SGA) in Athlone for inclusion as part of the Living City Initiative scheme.

The scheme, which provides financial incentives to encourage investment and bring derelict, vacant or underused properties back into use, was announced as part of Budget 2026.

The Government said it expected that applications for the Living City Initiative scheme "will be open by June at the latest".

Confirming the deadline date for SGA proposals from the local authority, Tánaiste Simon Harris said it was his intention to write "to the local authority this week and ask them to return their draft maps by the end of January".

"I would expect the mapping process to be completed by the end of quarter 1 2026, with applications to open by June at the latest," Deputy Harris said.

The initiative, which runs until December 31, 2030, has been expanded to cover properties built before 1975 with dedicated tax relief introduced for the conversion of commercial properties into residential use, including ‘over the shop’ premises.

It allows tax relief for money spent on refurbishing, or converting, residential or commercial properties in Special Regeneration Areas (SRA) within the qualifying cities and towns. These include owner-occupier residential relief, rented residential relief and commercial relief.

At the November meeting of Westmeath County Council the issue was raised by Cllr Frankie Keena who said that local councillors "should be involved in the preliminary stages of identifying areas for inclusion".

"There are a lot of long term vacant properties and derelict properties throughout the town.

"Apart from offering tax incentives to property owners, this scheme will enhance the town and has generated huge interest," Cllr Keena said.

Westmeath County Council Chief Executive Barry Kehoe stated that the Athlone Chamber of Commerce "will work carefully with the council" on the Living City Initiative scheme and the "planning department was geared up to identify areas with significant dereliction and regeneration potential".

Local Government Minister Peter Burke welcomed the announcement, acknowledging that the scheme "will benefit our communities in Athlone".

“Tackling dereliction and breathing new life into our cities and towns is a vital approach in terms of us unlocking homes and increasing housing supply.

“I will keep residents and businesses owners fully up to date with progress in rolling out this scheme in our county, which I believe will make a hugely positive difference to people’s lives," Minister Burke said.