Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breakdown of the final output figures for regeneration projects per local authority for 2008; and if he will provide details of the 2009 allocation per local authority for such projects. [21664/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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For the past number of years, my Department has supported an ambitious policy of regeneration that includes a broad range of projects from large, area-based regenerations like Ballymun, to individual inner city flat complexes and specific estates in towns and cities across the country. Overall, there are 13 projects at various stages of development, from masterplanning to construction phase, that receive funding under this programme.

The process of regeneration is very broad and involves not just the enhancement of the housing stock, but also delivers an improved physical, social and economic environment for those households living in the area. Under each regeneration project funding is provided for social inclusion, community safety, and other "soft" interventions, as well as providing an improved physical infrastructure.

Exchequer funding has been made available in both 2008 and 2009 to ensure the continuation of progress in the delivery of regeneration projects at Ballymun, as well as in Cork, Dublin, Limerick, and Waterford cities. While 2008 saw the substantial completion of the regeneration at Laurel Avenue in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, 2009 will see the commencement of the works at Mitchel's Crescent in Tralee, following the approval of the regeneration masterplan in late 2008. Support is also being provided to support the masterplanning process at Cranmore in Sligo and Cox's Demesne in Dundalk and as well as for a number of social inclusion and "quick win" initiatives to build and maintain community involvement in those estates.

The following table sets out in more detail the Exchequer funding provided in 2008, as well as the 2009 allocations, in respect of the projects concerned. For the first time this year a separate allocation has been provided to facilitate the process of relocating households from the regeneration areas both to facilitate site clearance and, on occasion, to address particular needs of households. No specific allocation has been provided for regeneration projects in Dublin City Council that were to have been progressed by way of Public Private Partnership arrangements, pending receipt and approval of new proposals for the complexes concerned. I understand that a portion of Dublin City Council's regeneration relocation allocation is, however, to be used to relocate households in need from these areas.