Irish Government Moves Forward To Start Regenerating Limerick

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has announced that the first phase of the ambitious Limerick Regeneration Programme, incorporating 26 new regeneration projects worth €337 million, would get underway this summer. 

"This Government is about renewal, whether it is economic renewal or renewing some of our most disadvantaged communities" said the Taoiseach at the official launch. 

Despite the challenges currently facing the Exchequer, Mr Cowen indicated that the transformational plans had whole of Governmental support and that funding for the plan, to be delivered over the next four and a half years, had been secured within a number of Department's budgets:  "I consider the regeneration initiative in Limerick to be of the utmost importance, both for the communities and families living in the city, but also as a demonstration of this Government's ability to deliver complex projects across the whole of the public sector." 

Highlighting the importance of delivering private sector investment as well as public investment, he also indicated that an Inter-Departmental Group has already been established "to develop proposals in the coming months for a scheme of economic, employment and social regeneration incentives needed to deliver on the regeneration of these areas."

Minister for Housing and Local Services Michael Finneran T.D. welcomed the Taoiseach's remarks and added "For the people of Moyross, Southill, Ballinacurra Weston and St. Mary's Park, the approval of these projects show that this Government has listened to their problems, we have heard them, and are delivering on our commitment to work with them to rebuild their communities."

On the housing front, he promised "I am committed to providing over 850 new and refurbished social housing units, and the associated enabling works, at a total cost of €160 million over the next four and a half years."

"Regeneration is not just about bricks and mortar", he continued, "and it is about ensuring a safe, secure living environment for people, to build job skills, support education initiatives, and offer new community and recreational opportunities. 

"The Government have agreed to provide a dedicated €5 million fund in each of the next five years to deliver enhanced public services to protect the social fabric of these communities.  I look forward also to the announcement of economic incentives to bring private sector interest into these forgotten areas"  he added.

Minister Finneran was also pleased to announce that, on top of the €25 million already allocated in 2010, he is making available an additional €10 million in 2010 in order to fast-track the enabling works, including acquisitions, demolition and site preparation, to facilitate the early construction of new housing and other important infrastructural projects. "I expect that this additional funding in 2010 will provide an important kick start to this process, creating much needed employment" the Minister added. "I expect that by the end of the year we will have broken ground on two new housing projects at Cliona Park in Moyross and at Lord Edward Street serving Balinacurra Weston, while the new crèche at St. Mary's Park, with significant funding from the Childcare Investment Programme,  will be almost completed"