Tuesday 25 November 2008

Concern over regeneration money

MEMBERS of Limerick City Council who yesterday backed the €1.7 million regeneration programme for run-down parts of the city have called on the Government to publicly declare the necessary funding will be forthcoming.

The master plans for the regeneration of Southill, Ballinacurra Weston, Southill and St Mary’s Park which were presented to the council on October 27 were yesterday supported by the council at a special meeting.

However, some members voiced concern— due to the economic downturn— the necessary funding may not be made available when thousands of new houses need to be build.

Cllr Diarmuid Scully said answers need to be forthcoming from the Taoiseach and the government.

Cllr Kevin Kiely who is chairman of the city’s joint policing authority voiced concern the city council did not seem to be pursuing exclusion orders of council tenants engaged in drugs and feud crime in these estates.

The regeneration agency has told the council that it will not need significant amounts of money from the government for another year as major planning matters will have to be processed in the meantime.

The agency has come under fire from Limerick State solicitor, Michael Murray for holding meetings with known members of feuding gangs. He said such meetings gave criminals a status they did not deserve.

Irish Examiner

www.buckplanning.ie

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