MINISTER Willie O’Dea promises to ‘kick some ass’ in the Department of the Environment in an effort to speed up the regeneration programme and allay local concerns about its very future.
He claims that the project is still live, months after he revealed that he had been appointed to kick-start a “big-bang” approach to getting building underway. He reiterated earlier comments that he is trying to bring private investors on board.
When he first announced details of the project, the minister said that while he could not go public with details of a financial package that was being sought to kick-start the project, the Taoiseach had charged him to get building underway in early Spring of 2010.
Speaking to the Limerick Post at the time, he said:
“I’ve prepared the blueprint which has been presented to the Taoiseach and has his authority – I have my team together and now I need the guarantee to structure it but I’m very positive for a successful outcome”.
Asked about the current status of the “big bang” plan and its ability to deliver substantial employment in construction of houses for the Regeneration areas, the minister replied:
“I’m going to the Department tomorrow to kick some ass and I will be speaking to you again after that – we are trying to bring private investors on board.”
Meantime he said he believes funding in the region of €24million will be allocated to Limerick Regeneration within a fortnight.
‘In terms of housing capital investment, the Agencies, working with the NBA, the City Council, and the Department, are preparing detailed plans for a number of sheltered housing schemes in the Regeneration agencies.
“Two such projects are for Moyross and Ballinacurra Weston and are to be submitted to my colleague Michael Finneran, Minister for Housing, for funding consideration shortly, with a view to beginning construction within the year..”
Commenting on the current feeling of the majority of city councillors that without an immediate commencement of building the Regeneration process is doomed, the Minister said he fully under stands their concerns.
“I meet regularly with my Cabinet colleagues and I can confirm that the Government remains fully committed to regeneration across Limerick city,” he concluded.
