Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I echo many of the sentiments expressed by Deputy O'Sullivan. We need action on regeneration. The project is in danger of losing credibility and of stalling. People were unaware that this is a draft plan which has yet to receive formal Cabinet approval. I want the Minister of State to give us an indication of the date when it will be approved at Cabinet. I want an indication from him of when the €1 million will be provided for the planning and design stage. In the four regeneration areas of Moyross, St. Mary's Park, Southill and Ballinacurra Weston, houses have been knocked and people are waiting to see physical works taking place but they have not started. They have been given no indication as to when these works will begin. Their neighbours and friends have moved out so instead of the regeneration areas flourishing, they have been depopulated over a period of time, over the past 18 months. This draft plan is in place since last October and it is critical that we are given an indication tonight in the House that there is Government commitment to the regeneration project in Limerick. The only way we can have that is for formal Cabinet approval of the draft master plan. Once this is put in place it is imperative that the €1 million is provided for planning and design. The project was well received by people in the regeneration areas and in the wider Limerick community but which has literally sat in limbo. All we have seen is destruction of certain houses in the regeneration areas and nothing to replace them. Apart from the fact that the project would improve the quality of life for people in the regeneration areas and restore credibility, it has an enormous job creation potential for the city of Limerick. Many of the people in the regeneration areas have lost their jobs. The jobs task force report chaired by Denis Brosnan has stated that there could be up to 3,000 people a year employed during the regeneration process. It is critical that is put in place. I would also like the Minister of State to convey to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, that it is critical that funding be provided in the forthcoming budget to allow projects, such as sheltered housing and group housing schemes, in the four regeneration areas.

The time for talking is over. We hear repeatedly from various Ministers that the matter is being looked at. People in Limerick were unaware that the plan has not yet been approved by the Cabinet. This is not good enough. This is a question of political will. Either the Government has the will to push forward regeneration in Limerick or it has not. Without the facility to carry the project to the design stage, the Limerick regeneration project will stall. This will not be the responsibility of the people of Limerick but of the Government.

I have three questions for the Minister of State. First, on what date will the draft master plan come before Cabinet for formal approval and be adopted as Government policy, showing true commitment by the Government? Second, when will the €1 million funding be provided to allow the planning and design stage to proceed? Only then can the project deal with the local authorities with regard to planning and design. People will then realise that the regeneration project is fully under way. Third, there must be a Government commitment that funding, in excess of what was provided in the last year, will be provided in the forthcoming budget for regeneration in Limerick. We are now approaching the construction phase in terms of housing in the regeneration project areas.

People in the regeneration areas want to live in those areas. They are entitled to do so and to have houses and health and education services of a good standard. The Government sold them a pipe-dream amid fanfare but it has not backed it up with resources or commitment. The regeneration project is still not formal Government policy.

I want the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, to give good news to the people of the regeneration areas and to Limerick. We want to see this plan adopted now.

See this speech in context