TD opposes boarded-up houses’ demolition
However, Labour frontbench spokeswoman Jan O’Sullivan TD has challenged the demolition of houses which she said could be refurbished.
She further claimed that the regeneration plan is no longer a Government priority with a €25 million budget for the coming year.
The 10-year master plan has a €3 billion price tag.
Mayor John Gilligan, who is a member of the Southside Regeneration Board, said the demolition of boarded-up houses in St Mary’s Park will be widely welcomed by residents.
He said: “These houses, which are now being knocked, have been blocked-up for some time and are a source of anti-social behaviour. Residents living alongside these houses have had to put up with a lot of problems with people dumping there. This in turn has caused a problem with rats. This work is a start and I hope it marks a new beginning for the people of St Mary’s Park.”
Up to 100 houses in Moyross and Southill have already been levelled as part of the first phase of the 10-year regeneration programme which aims to transform Southill, Ballinacurra Weston, St Mary’s Park and Moyross.
Mr Gilligan said it is also planned to press ahead with the building of a community creche in St Mary’s Park this year.
“We also hope to move ahead with the construction of a number of houses for elderly people near the creche. What is now happening shows the people of St Mary’s Park that they are not being left behind. The creche is badly needed and it shows a start from children up.”
Ms O’Sullivan said she is convinced that the regeneration plan is no longer a Government priority.
She said: “This view is reinforced by the most recent edition of the Limerick Regeneration newsletter.
“While the newsletter suggests that ‘regeneration is still on track’ very little evidence is offered to convince that this is the case.
“In fact, the newsletter is filled with vague generalities and references to everyday tasks that should be carried out by Limerick City Council as part of its normal duty. It is so full of meaningless jargon that Labour is now convinced that no building work whatsoever will be carried out before the Regeneration Agency, which was set up in 2007, will be disbanded in 2012 when its mandate expires.”
Ms O’Sullivan called for an immediate review of houses originally targeted for demolition that could be refurbished to a modern standard and used to reduce the housing list.
She said: “This work would be intensive and help boost employment.”
