THE fact that the McCarthy Report did not target the Limerick regeneration programme for a cutback in its Snip Nua hit list, is regarded as a good sign in terms of guaranteed funding for continuation of the project, according to Brendan Kenny, chief executive of the city’s Regeneration Agencies.
With some 400 houses already demolished on the housing estates included in the programme, Mr Kenny,
responding to concern voiced by northside councillor, Maurice Quinlivan, that people are anxious and nervous until they see new houses being built, said that demolition will continue until the end of this year.
“We hope to get building next year, assuming that the money will be there to do so. But as a job, it has to happen and we wouldn’t be any nearer building even if the economic downturn hadn’t come along.
“Meantime, we’ve a lot of social issues that we must get stuck into – planning and design, but we’re here for the long haul and there’s a lot going on that is not visible”.
Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Kenny said that almost 300 houses on the northside and the southside have been locked up.
“Some of these have been purchased and can’t be demolished but we hope that by the end of the year, there will be some action on boarded up houses. There’s money set aside for road works and at present additional CCTV cameras are being erected in St Mary’s Park etc., and mini pitches installed in all four areas by the end of the year.
“President Mary McAleese will be coming down here in October – we hope to have things done by then. There are lots of families that must be given a reasonable quality of life while the regeneration work goes on”.
Cllr Quinlivan said he will be seeking a meeting with Mr Kenny
“People on t he ground are very nervous and they will remain so until they see building commence”.
