Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

Apart from unemployment, the Limerick regeneration project is the single most important issue for the city. When the regeneration project was launched by the Government more than two years ago, it was such a priority and of such importance that it came under Cabinet responsibility. Now confusion reigns in the media. Last week, we were told the €25 million allocated for next year was provisional and more would follow. On Saturday, the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, the only Cabinet member in Limerick and the mid-west, said in the national newspapers the project would be stalled unless non-State funding outside of the €25 million could be secured. This compounded the lack of morale among the people living in the regeneration areas, Moyross, Southill, St. Mary's Park and Ballinacurra Weston. They have lost faith in the project believing it lacks credibility and is being repeatedly stalled. Action and a firm commitment from the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Finneran, is needed. As the Cabinet has responsibility for this project, the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, need to visit the regeneration areas where up to 400 houses have been knocked but not one replaced.

When the project was originally launched with much fanfare by the President, Mary McAleese, on behalf of the Government, those living in the areas had high hopes. The Government must live up to its commitment and provide the funding. No one expected the project to happen overnight as it was set down as a ten-year project. The Government's claim, therefore, that it cannot afford the €1.7 billion required does not ring true. Projects need to be started in each of the regeneration areas. Many elderly people in the regeneration areas, for example, have put their life savings into buying out their houses. Now, they do not know where they stand. One week they are told their houses will be purchased and the next week they are told the houses beside them will be knocked.

The Denis Brosnan taskforce established for the mid-west stated one headline project it wanted to see fast-tracked was the regeneration project. Not only has it a social dimension, it has enormous employment potential for up to 4,000 people. Limerick has a higher unemployment rate than the national average; the regeneration areas' rate is five times higher at 70%. Plans are to be submitted at the end of March and many feel the Government is just putting off this. A firm commitment that the Government will provide funding for the project in 2010 and its subsequent years must be made. When the Cabinet took responsibility for the regeneration project, it was assumed the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, would have a major influence in advancing the project. I accept there is a need for private investment but it cannot be expected to be made unless there is a commitment from the State. The Government is reneging on the project and we will not allow this to happen. We want positive news from the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Finneran, tonight that capital funding for the project will be provided for it to get under way.

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