Senator Aideen Hayden has welcomed the announcement by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore TD that the extended Living City initiative, announced in Budget 2014 this week, will include Dun Laoghaire.

Senator Hayden said: "This initiative will inject a much-needed boost to the heart of Dun Laoghaire - which is currently a shadow of its former self. The historic centre of Dun Laoghaire has suffered badly in recent years from both the general economic downturn and the movement of business from town centres to various peripheral shopping centres."

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The Living City Initiative is a targeted mechanism to encourage people and businesses back into the heart of Irish cities and their hinterlands. Although the Initiative was originally targeted at Georgian Ireland, it has been extended to include historic buildings built before 1915 which is of symbolic importance leading into the commemoration of the 1916 Rising. There are many beautiful and neglected buildings in Dun Laoghaire which, with proper care and attention, can preserve their unique characteristics and beauty. Moreover, there is interdependency between a vibrant residential and business heart, residents' needs shops nearby and shops need local residents - the Living City Initiative recognises this interdependency.

If local people grasp this opportunity, there will be enormous knock-on effects and benefits - for the people of Dun Laoghaire and local traders and also, for the sheer pleasure in living in an enhanced and better environment which restores Dun Laoghaire to its former glory.

(CD/MH)