Limerick’s regenerated homes to remain unoccupied until 2012

THE chief executive of the Limerick Regeneration Agency said yesterday he did not expect any families to occupy newly-built homes in the designated areas until 2012.

Brendan Kenny’s comments came as Department of Environment figures confirmed midwest local authorities have yet to spend 31% — €4.4 million — of the €14.15m allocated this year for the relocation of families to facilitate the regeneration.

The figures provided by Minister John Gormley to Deputy Jan O’Sullivan (Lab) show Limerick City Council has yet to spend 38.6% of €4.3m of its €10.1m allocation. Clare County Council had, so far, spent €350,000 of a €500,000 allocation, while Limerick County Council had marginally overspent on its allocation of €3.5m.

The masterplan for the regeneration project was published in 2007. Last June, Taoiseach Brian Cowen announced 26 regeneration projects worth €337m will take place over the next 4½ years.

Ms O’Sullivan said yesterday: “What would most concern me is the Limerick City Council figure. I know the city council is in the process of negotiating in relation to a number of properties, but it is absolutely imperative the money is spent, as money is very scarce at the moment.”

The regeneration scheme received €35m in funding this year and Mr Kenny said yesterday: “There is no issue about money not being spent and I’m sure the city council will spend its allocation.” He said the agency would be going to tender for the first housing scheme of 34 houses in the Moyross area shortly and expects work to commence in February.

“Work will take 13-15 months and we wouldn’t expect any families to be in the newly-built homes before 2012.”

Mr Kenny said in relation to the physical regeneration of the areas, the concentration to date has been on demolishing houses to be replaced. He said 550 houses have been demolished so far with 200 knocked down in 2010, with the highest monthly total, 30, in November.

Mr Kenny said local authorities have been spending their allocation by purchasing new homes for families rehoused from the regeneration areas.

“Even before the master plan for the regeneration areas had been published, families were leaving the areas and I believe the best part of 1,000 families have left. This will result in a significant reduction of new homes that will have to be built.”

He added that “very little progress was made in the project in 2009, but it is all systems go now for the physical regeneration. We are in a good space at the moment”.

The chief executive also said €35m would be sufficient to cover the regeneration’s projects in 2011 with much more required in 2012.

He also expects starts on schemes in Lord Edward Street (70) and Southhill (11) in 2011.