Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will be provided for the Limerick regeneration project in 2009; the amount of that funding; the areas of allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4156/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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My Department continues to provide strong support for the regeneration project across Limerick City, through ongoing liaison with the Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies and with the local authorities in the area. In 2008 alone, some €16 million was provided under the national regeneration programme and the Department's sustainable communities fund to support the development of the city's integrated regeneration programme and area masterplans, to fund an ambitious schedule of demolition and enabling works, as well as to implement the associated regeneration relocation strategy. In addition, funding was provided for an array of social inclusion and community development initiatives including neighbourhood safety and environmental improvement works. Within the overall funding available to my Department for the provision and improvement of social housing for 2009, I intend to increase the level of support to ensure that the Limerick regeneration project continues to progress, to meet the costs of the Regeneration Agencies, to facilitate a number of households wishing to move in line with the overall regeneration strategy, and for related matters. While authorities have received provisional notification of their 2009 allocation of some €28 million, this has yet to be finalised within the context of the overall national regeneration programme and the wider estimates process. It is expected that final allocations will be confirmed by the beginning of April.