Call for State reassurance over regeneration plan

AS doubts continue about the future of the €3 billion Limerick regeneration plan, city mayor Cllr Kevin Kiely yesterday called on the Government to reassure residents in run-down estates in the city of their commitment to the project.

The head of the Northside Regeneration Agency Paul Foley has returned to a senior executive post at Limerick City Council from where he was seconded. With his two-year term concluded, Mr Foley’s departure was seen as a major blow to the entire regeneration plan.

Well-placed sources said Mr Foley had become disillusioned at the way the project was moving. The master plan, launched last October, projected government funding of €1.6bn and a private sector contribution of €1.4bn. The massive plan proposed that 4,790 private houses and 2,450 social houses be provided in Southill, Moyross, Ballinacurragh Weston and St Mary’s Park.