The Government has finally pledged €337 million for the first four years of the Limerick Regeneration Project.
An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, said that the first phase of the ambitious Limerick Regeneration Programme,would get underway this summer.
“I consider the regeneration initiative in Limerick to be of the utmost importance, both for the communities and families living in the city”.
Despite the challenges currently facing the Exchequer 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.
Minister for Housing Michael Finneran said “I am committed to providing over 850 new and refurbished social housing units, and the associated enabling works, at a total cost of €160m over the next four and a half years”.
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.
A spokesperson for Limerick Regeneration said that they have already received phonecalls from builders and construction workers enquiring about the project.
He said, “The Department have released their own publications and have actually increased the amount needed for the first four years”.
Minister Finneran said, “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”.
