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The Limerick Regeneration Agency is finalising
a report which should pave the way for housebuilding to start
in four of the city’s estates.
The Government has given the agency
a late March deadline to submit detailed, costed building
proposals.
Brendan Kenny, chief executive of the regeneration
agency, said - "We are putting all our energies at present
into this report, which we have to give to Government by March
31. It is then back to Government and the Cabinet to give
a response and we are hopeful as the vibes are positive."
While up to 400 houses have been demolished
in Southill, Moyross, St Mary’s Park and Ballinacurra Weston,
no work has started on housebuilding in the four estates.
This has led to a lot of anger and claims that the regeneration
plan is doomed.
Mr Kenny said the plan contains a range of proposals,
which include the construction of social community centres
as well as housing. He said they will also be seeking to have
some of the regeneration estates given special tax incentives
to encourage companies to move there.
Mr Kenny said - "If the Government gives us
the extra funding we need, it will enable us to kickstart
building. When people see houses and buildings going up, that
should change attitudes as there is a lot of negativity out
there with people not seeing much happening."
The Government has given the regeneration agency
€50 million over the past two years. The entire 10-year proposal
has a price tag in excess of €3 billion, of which the state
has pledged to contribute €1.7bn.
It was envisaged that the private sector would
invest another €1.4bn. Former defence minister Willie O’Dea
claimed he had been in contact with private investors who
saw business potential by getting involved in the regeneration
programme.
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