Sponsored by
Housing Minister pledges cash for Limerick Regeneration
FUNDING for housing projects in Regeneration areas has been pledged by Minister Michael Finneran on Prime Time after a shocking report highlighting scenes of deprivation in city estates was broadcast.
Images of boarded up houses and burnt out cars offered a stark reminder of the need to regenerate Southill, Ballinacurra Weston, St Mary's Park and Moyross.
It was hoped the programme, broadcast on RTE last Thursday night, would be a timely reminder to Government that investment is badly needed in the estates earmarked for regeneration.
Minister Finneran said two housing projects which would deliver more than 100 units of accommodation will be given the go-ahead when the Regeneration Agencies submit their proposals later this month.
He also revealed that the total cost of the project has fallen by at least €400 million because of the recession and the collapse in the cost of construction.
"The €1.7 billion cost of the project has fallen . . . The cost of construction has dropped by 25 per cent over the last two years. This chips €400 million off that figure. Some houses will now be refurbished on the estates and this is cheaper too," he said.
A construction project on Edward Street will deliver 70 units of housing for elderly people and another project in Moyross will deliver 48 social housing units.
The Minister added that two more housing developments in Southill and St Mary's Park might also get the go-ahead this year.
Limerick TD, Kieran O'Donnell, who was part of the discussion panel on the current affairs programme said it was crucial that the Government adopted the Master Plan as policy. The Fine Gael deputy also called on the Government to support tax incentives designed to attract private investment. Minister Finneran confirmed that this was being considered by the Government.
Regeneration agencies CEO Brendan Kenny was interviewed by reporter Michael Heney on a tour of Ballinacurra Weston for the programme. "We have no difficulty with the idea of showing that progress has been slow and more is needed," Mr Kenny told the Limerick Leader ahead of the broadcast.
"It is something we have been saying ourselves over the last few months and it will give a strong message to Government that this is still a serious situation and it needs investment.
He acknowledged that concern is often expressed when images of derelict houses are shown by the media, but added that if the programme is to get the message across, "there is no point sweeping them under the carpet".
Interviews with John Fitzgerald, author of the Fitzgerald Report; Fr Pat Hogan, parish priest of the Holy Family Parish, Southill; Paddy Flannery of Moyross Community Enterprise Centre, and residents including Mary Higgins from Southill, featured.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Dublin shooting victim has family connections in Limerick
- First drift karting facility in Europe is ready to take off on outskirts of Limerick
- Newport gun victim is mourned at funeral in Limerick city
- Man appears in court following County Limerick drugs seizure
- Pensioner robbed outside Limerick funeral home
- Psychiatric report sought in Limerick assault case
- Andy Lee left in limbo after world title setback
- Shannon Development expects increase in French tourists with Rennes route
- Limerick City Council staff work less than 35 hours a week, survey shows
- County Limerick waste company fined after employee loses arm
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Limerick
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
