Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

This amendment seeks to remove the provision to dissolve the Limerick regeneration agencies. The agencies had a cessation date built into their establishment orders, which is this summer. The Oireachtas confirmed this in the context of the Confirmation of Orders Act 2008. This Bill merely provides for the administration of that process. As stated earlier, the regeneration office will take over the regeneration function. I do not propose therefore to accept the amendment.

I wish, however, to respond to both Senators. It is my absolute intention to ensure that not only will we continue with regeneration but that we will speed up the process. Primarily, the winding up of these two agencies will not save a huge amount of money. We are talking about a structure that does not have a large number of people working for it. It will, however, speed up the process because it will all be brought under the one office. Up to now, for example, the council was responsible for most of the housing elements, and the regeneration agencies were responsible for other elements.

They are the three pillars of regeneration. There is physical, social and economic regeneration. The physical and the economic areas had not been progressing as well as we would have preferred but I am confident this will accelerate progress. Senators will be interested to learn that on Tuesday Limerick City Council approved a manager's report on the construction of 79 houses on Edward Street in the Ballinacurra Weston area. Other housing developments are progressing and, as Senator Cullinane noted, the intention is that 100 units will be under way this year.

I recognise that Senator Barrett is concerned with quantifying the money saved but this measure is not as much about saving money as about making the process more effective. I am confident that the winding up of the agencies will improve the process rather than hinder it in any way. I have engaged with people on an implementation plan for completion of the projects. That plan has to be agreed through local consultation, something of which Senator Cullinane will approve. Extensive consultation is ongoing with local communities on every element of regeneration. That will continue because their representation will continue. The intention is to bring further clarity to local residents on what is happening through these implementation plans, which we expect to be agreed in the near future. After extensive consultation with locals in all four of the regeneration areas in Limerick, I am confident this will improve the process.

In regard to the other regeneration projects, Ballymun has its own agency and a process is being agreed in this regard. I agree that other parts of the country also require regeneration. A number of areas in Dublin, in particular, require regeneration. That process has started but we need to ensure the money we invest is wisely spent so we can spend it on the work that needs to be done in the various parts of the country where regeneration is especially needed.