Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputies for raising this item as it affords me an opportunity once again to confirm the Government's commitment to the regeneration of the most disadvantaged areas of Limerick city, to the communities living there, and to the ongoing viability of the city as a gateway for the mid-west. I also acknowledge the involvement of the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, who met with me and with officials in July and again this week.

Under our national housing policy statement, Delivering Homes: Sustaining Communities, we strive to create and support sustainable communities. Our approach to regeneration is not just about investing in the built environment, as Deputy O'Sullivan mentioned, although this is undoubtedly an important element in the regeneration process. Rather we take a holistic approach that seeks to address the underlying causes of such social, economic, and educational disadvantage by investing in social inclusion activities, providing educational opportunities and by ensuring strong links with the business community. In short, by integrating these areas into the wider community and by offering all of the social supports necessary for the communities there, we hope to achieve stable, sustainable communities where previously there was only isolation, hardship and disadvantage.

From the outset, my Department has recognised the Limerick Regeneration Agencies' sterling work in delivering two regeneration vision plans, developing a strong framework for inter-agency and community collaboration and providing the flexible LRA regeneration programme, which proposes a road map for a new Limerick over the next decade. As is widely acknowledged, this programme will require significant investment of time and resources from public and private stakeholders in delivering the mixed use, mixed tenure sustainable communities envisaged over the period of implementation for the project.

My Department is now finalising its consideration of the proposals in the regeneration programme with a view to its formal presentation to Government this autumn, with associated implementation plans. Other Departments and State agencies, through their involvement on the boards of the agencies, have also been considering the LRA regeneration programme and further engagement in regard to social regeneration is taking place as part of a high level initiative with relevant Secretaries General and heads of key agencies.

With regard to funding in 2009, my Department is providing almost €26 million to support regeneration activity for the Limerick regeneration areas. An agreed 2009 joint works programme is underway through the agencies, Limerick City and County Councils and Clare County Council. This funding includes the specific budget allocation of €8.25 million to cover the agencies' specific costs and projects. The works programme supports the relocation programme for households within and outside the regeneration areas, both in terms of improving community stability and facilitating construction works, as well as proceeding with the extensive planned demolitions. The investment in social inclusion initiatives in the areas has been significantly increased in 2009. In addition, funding has been provided for the continuation of estate improvement works, including wide-scale clean-ups in the areas concerned and specific safety initiatives and community intervention projects. A project team led by the agencies has been established to deliver detailed plans for two new sheltered housing projects in Moyross and Ballinacurra Weston. Some €1.5million is set aside to meet these design costs and it is intended that priority projects in the Southill and St. Mary's Park areas will be added to the project team's remit. On my visit to Limerick earlier this year, I sanctioned those two projects and they are now at design stage.

Against that background, I can assure the House that significant funding for the regeneration will continue to be provided through my Department in 2010. The priorities involved are due to be reviewed as part of the respective October housing action plan meetings between my Department, Limerick City and County Councils, Clare County Council and the Limerick Regeneration Agencies. The funding allocations will be determined in light of these forthcoming meetings, wider Government decisions, the 2010 Estimates process and the level of support available from other key public and private stakeholders.

With regard to previous investment, the House may wish to note that in addition to the €26 million being provided this year, my Department also provided some €30 million to support the regeneration programme over the two preceding years. This funding was provided to both the Limerick Regeneration Agencies and Limerick City Council and has supported the establishment and operation of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies, the demolition of some 350 void properties, extensive estate clean-ups, CCTV camera installation, environmental works, support for the local communities through educational and social initiatives, investment in key community facilities like the Galvone youth centre and the development of the vision plans and masterplans.

As Deputies will be aware, the broader economic and employment situation in Limerick and the mid-west region is under consideration in light of the interim report of the mid-west task force. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment published the report on 28 July 2009 and the Government is engaging in a cross-departmental consultation process to evaluate and consider the implementation of the report's recommendations, including those relating to the Limerick regeneration programme.

I would also like to mention the involvement of other Departments, statutory agencies and key stakeholders in the regeneration process. Joined up approaches to regeneration are critical as we aim to achieve greater value for money and deliver more co-ordinated, coherent services for local communities in a period of more constrained public finances. I thank the Deputies for raising this issue and I reiterate my and the Government's commitment to supporting the regeneration of Limerick city in 2009 and onwards.

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