Wednesday, 9 May 2007

Mr John Fitzgerald to act as Interim Chairperson of two forthcoming Limerick Regeneration Agencies

Mr. Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has announced that Mr John Fitzgerald (former Dublin City Manager) has agreed to act as Interim Chairperson of two Limerick Regeneration Agencies.

The two bodies will lead the development of comprehensive measures to tackle issues of social exclusion in Moyross and other targeted disadvantaged areas of Limerick City. "I very much welcome that John Fitzgerald has agreed to accept this role to drive forward the regeneration of certain areas of Limerick" - said Minister Roche.

Last October, Mr Fitzgerald was appointed by Government to lead an initiative to address social exclusion, crime and disorder in Moyross and other parts of Limerick City. Mr Fitzgerald presented his recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion recently and the Government subsequently agreed to the implementation of his recommendations.

One specific recommendation from Mr Fitzgerald's analysis was for the establishment of two area-based special purpose regeneration agencies - namely Limerick Northside Regeneration and Limerick Southside Regeneration. These Agencies will be established to drive economic and infrastructural development in defined areas and to direct and co-ordinate intensive action to deal with social and economic disadvantage.

"My Department is currently preparing the necessary Establishment Orders to provide the statutory basis for the two Limerick Regeneration Agencies" - commented Minister Roche. "This important work is being given high priority by the Government and I am confident that John Fitzgerald's leadership will make an extremely valuable contribution to the future work of these Agencies."

No comments: