Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 233: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has brought the Limerick regeneration plans to the Cabinet for formal approval; if there have been discussions with the Department of Finance and other Government Departments to ensure that funding is made available in the estimates and Budget 2010 to progress the regeneration programme in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39575/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The October 2008 draft Limerick Regeneration Programme/Masterplan is a flexible and evolving plan for the physical, social and economic regeneration of the areas 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 draft Programme with a view to its formal presentation to Government in the coming weeks. Other Government Departments and State Agencies, as well as local community and business interests, through their involvement on the Boards of Directors of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies, have also been considering the draft Programme and further engagement in regard to social regeneration is taking place as part of a high level initiative with relevant Departments and key agencies.

With regard to the ongoing funding of the project, my Department has provided almost €26 million this year alone to support a broad range of regeneration activities from demolitions and site clearances to social inclusion initiatives. I am acutely aware of the importance of the need for continued progress on the regeneration programme and I will be considering the funding position for next year in the context of the 2010 Estimates process.