The Fine Gael TD said "something urgent needs to be done" - as dozens of people are joining the dole queues in Limerick each month.

He is urging Limerick ministers Willie O'Dea and Peter Power to meet with the Taoiseach Brian Cowen to "request as a matter of urgency that the Government provide the capital funds necessary to start building work in the designated Moyross, Southill, St Mary's Park and Ballinacurra areas".

"If the regeneration projects were to begin in the coming weeks up to 1,000 jobs would be created," he said, adding that the "project would more than pay for itself".

"The average loss per day of jobs in Limerick for the month of June was 42 people. The number of people signing on at the Dominic Street Welfare Office increased by almost 900 people in the month of June alone. This is alarming and it's a situation which needs to be urgently tackled," he said.

Deputy Noonan said the Government should not wait for the Mid-Western Jobs Task Force to publish their first report to create employment in Limerick.

"I would ask both local Ministers to raise with the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan the possibility of the IDA delivering jobs here in this region. They need to improve on the figure of last year where Limerick received just 370 IDA-backed jobs," he said.

In April last, the Government allocated €25m for the regeneration programme - an increase of €9m in comparison to 2008.

Brendan Kenny, the chief executive of the regeneration agencies, said their priority at present is to demolish burnt-out houses in these estates.

"Obviously people say to us they want new houses to be built but it takes time. We are hoping to start on the plans for the retirement villages in some of the areas," said Mr Kenny.

He said the construction of houses should take place next year, while up to 100 houses have been targeted for demolition this year.